What exactly are the pedestrian / crosswalk laws?

Does anyone have knowledge of what the laws are regarding cars / pedestrians and crosswalks in Maplewood?  I am curious to know specifically about Springfield Ave., where there are crosswalks at intersections with stoplights and crosswalks at intersections without lights. 

This is state law that changed a few years ago...I'd have to look for the site that explains it right.  This is the state page, but there had been a better one.  It doesn't matter if there is no light, you have to stop if you will be crossing the pedestrians path.  When there is a light, you have to stop with a green light if your are turning, but have the right of way if going straight on a green light  http://www.nj.gov/lps/hts/pedestrian.html

TO CLARIFY: BOTH THE PEDESTRIAN AND CAR GOING STRAIGHT THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY.  THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT THROUGH THE GREEN LIGHT HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY OVER THE PEDESTRIAN WHO IS CROSSING AGAINST THE LIGHT (has the red light)

It gets confusing where there is a separate 'walk' light and the pedestrian has a 'don't walk' while you are turning through a green light...

This site has good illustration   http://wwbpa.org/action/new-jersey-stop-at-crosswalks-law/

At any uncontrolled intersection -- that is, one without a traffic signal -- whether there is a marked crosswalk or not, cars must yield to pedestrians.  At controlled intersections, both cars and pedestrians must obey the signals.  So on Springfield, at any corner where there is a light, the light controls both pedestrians and traffic.  At any intersection where there is not, cars must yield to pedestrians, whether the crosswalk is marked or not.  However, if you , as a pedestrian, try to walk out into traffic, especially at unmarked crosswalks on Springfield, you will be in the right but dead.

jmitw said:

  When there is a light, you have to stop with a green light if your are turning, but have the right away if going straight on a green light 

I ask because I was at one of these uncontrolled intersections (marked crosswalk but no stoplight) and the car to my left (near lane) stopped (with a number of vehicles behind it) to let my son, dog and me cross.  To my right (far lane), a oncoming pickup was about a 2 blocks away.  I figured that was far enough to start crossing (since the traffic nearest us stopped specifically for us) - we were half way across (approaching the lane with pickup on-coming) when it seemed the pickup was not going to stop - so we stopped crossing and stood in the middle of Springfield Ave.  Pickup wound up stopping quickly to let us cross but not before launching a barrage of obscenities at us.  

I have always been ignorant as to what the laws are, but I always stop to let pedestrians cross, regardless.  On the flip side, as a pedestrian, I'm always cautious to protect myself and family, so I assume that most people won't stop and wait until there is no traffic.  It was a conundrum today when one side stopped and the other clearly didn't want to, so thank you for at least clearing up what the law is...

max_weisenfeld said:

At any uncontrolled intersection -- that is, one without a traffic signal -- whether there is a marked crosswalk or not, cars must yield to pedestrians.  At controlled intersections, both cars and pedestrians must obey the signals.  So on Springfield, at any corner where there is a light, the light controls both pedestrians and traffic.  At any intersection where there is not, cars must yield to pedestrians, whether the crosswalk is marked or not.  However, if you , as a pedestrian, try to walk out into traffic, especially at unmarked crosswalks on Springfield, you will be in the right but dead.

I don't miss driving (or crossing) Springfield Ave. People were forever trying to pass me on the right when I was stopped for pedestrians. Same goes for South Orange Ave, actually.

And I mean really, does it matter what the law is? If there's a human person in the road and you can easily stop without causing an accident...just stop. Even if they're jaywalking. Though in those cases I fully support the obscenities. 

Slight digression- Does anyone know the law governing which side of the street pedestrians are to walk on?   I've asked 2 MW cops that had no idea.

T I A

I don't know if it is the law, but pedestrians should always walk facing traffic.  You should at least see them coming.

max_weisenfeld said:

I don't know if it is the law, but pedestrians should always walk facing traffic.  You should at least see them coming.

I believe it is the law.  Bicycles, OTOH, should ride with the traffic.

And there should be a law about walking & texting when crossing the street.  Saw a woman Thursday downtown stop in the middle of the crosswalk to respond to a text.  You should have seen the look on the drivers face especially since he had stopped and waved her across.  

max_weisenfeld said:

At any uncontrolled intersection -- that is, one without a traffic signal -- whether there is a marked crosswalk or not, cars must yield to pedestrians.  At controlled intersections, both cars and pedestrians must obey the signals.  So on Springfield, at any corner where there is a light, the light controls both pedestrians and traffic.  At any intersection where there is not, cars must yield to pedestrians, whether the crosswalk is marked or not.  However, if you , as a pedestrian, try to walk out into traffic, especially at unmarked crosswalks on Springfield, you will be in the right but dead.

Correcting this - Crosswalks may be marked or unmarked.  If a pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk, the driver must STOP for them; not just yield.  If a pedestrian is in an unmarked crosswalk, the driver must yield to the pedestrian.

Oddly, all of the new crosswalk signs down Prospect have the old law which says cars have to yield.  Pretty sure those are all incorrect.

And, for good measure, NJ definition of a crosswalk - "A crosswalk is an extension of the road, sidewalk, curb or edge of the shoulder at an intersection for people on foot. Crosswalks may be either marked or unmarked. A marked crosswalk is any portion of the road outlined by painted markings or a difference texture of concrete or pavers."  Basically, there's a crosswalk at every intersection, whether or not it's marked on the street.

grahamb said:

max_weisenfeld said:

At any uncontrolled intersection -- that is, one without a traffic signal -- whether there is a marked crosswalk or not, cars must yield to pedestrians.  At controlled intersections, both cars and pedestrians must obey the signals.  So on Springfield, at any corner where there is a light, the light controls both pedestrians and traffic.  At any intersection where there is not, cars must yield to pedestrians, whether the crosswalk is marked or not.  However, if you , as a pedestrian, try to walk out into traffic, especially at unmarked crosswalks on Springfield, you will be in the right but dead.

Correcting this - Crosswalks may be marked or unmarked.  If a pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk, the driver must STOP for them; not just yield.  If a pedestrian is in an unmarked crosswalk, the driver must yield to the pedestrian.

Oddly, all of the new crosswalk signs down Prospect have the old law which says cars have to yield.  Pretty sure those are all incorrect.

And, for good measure, NJ definition of a crosswalk - "A crosswalk is an extension of the road, sidewalk, curb or edge of the shoulder at an intersection for people on foot. Crosswalks may be either marked or unmarked. A marked crosswalk is any portion of the road outlined by painted markings or a difference texture of concrete or pavers."  Basically, there's a crosswalk at every intersection, whether or not it's marked on the street.

Correcting this - they have retrieved the signs from Prospect in order to replace them with signs that correctly reflect the law.

;-)

Is there really a difference between stopping for a pedestrian and yielding to them?

The difference between stopping at a stop sign and yielding has to do with whether or not there are vehicles or pedestrians present.  At a stop sign, you are required to stop no matter what.  So not exactly equivalent.

max_weisenfeld said:

grahamb said:

max_weisenfeld said:

At any uncontrolled intersection -- that is, one without a traffic signal -- whether there is a marked crosswalk or not, cars must yield to pedestrians.  At controlled intersections, both cars and pedestrians must obey the signals.  So on Springfield, at any corner where there is a light, the light controls both pedestrians and traffic.  At any intersection where there is not, cars must yield to pedestrians, whether the crosswalk is marked or not.  However, if you , as a pedestrian, try to walk out into traffic, especially at unmarked crosswalks on Springfield, you will be in the right but dead.

Correcting this - Crosswalks may be marked or unmarked.  If a pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk, the driver must STOP for them; not just yield.  If a pedestrian is in an unmarked crosswalk, the driver must yield to the pedestrian.

Oddly, all of the new crosswalk signs down Prospect have the old law which says cars have to yield.  Pretty sure those are all incorrect.

And, for good measure, NJ definition of a crosswalk - "A crosswalk is an extension of the road, sidewalk, curb or edge of the shoulder at an intersection for people on foot. Crosswalks may be either marked or unmarked. A marked crosswalk is any portion of the road outlined by painted markings or a difference texture of concrete or pavers."  Basically, there's a crosswalk at every intersection, whether or not it's marked on the street.

Correcting this - they have retrieved the signs from Prospect in order to replace them with signs that correctly reflect the law.

Touché.  

As to the difference between a stop and a yield, yeah I agree, not sure of the difference, but they made a big deal about the switch when the law changed from one to the other.

sac said:

Is there really a difference between stopping for a pedestrian and yielding to them?

The difference between stopping at a stop sign and yielding has to do with whether or not there are vehicles or pedestrians present.  At a stop sign, you are required to stop no matter what.  So not exactly equivalent.

Yes. Stopping means you must wait until the pedestrian is through the intersection; yielding means you just have to wait until they pass.

They may have changed the law (at least partially) because people don't understand the word "yield." Some seem to believe it means keep moving and avoid hitting the other. It actually means don't make the other change course or slow or stop.

It doesn't really matter what the law is if so many people don't follow it. This was one of the most frustrating things for me living in New Jersey. Some people know the law and don't give a sh*t, and some are entirely unaware of the law.

There is a big problem with cars going around the one stopped for a pedestrian with the new law (5 year old law)..or the waiting cars behind the 1st car getting irate.  I once had to pull out my phone and prepare to dial 911 because I stopped for a pedestrian in accordance with the law...i was turning onto a 4 lane road with a traffic light..law says you must wait for the pedestrian to pass a full lane away..and you can't make the turn as soon as the pedestrian clears your lane, or cut them off as they are approaching your lane...

NOTE: for multilane roads. they don't have to be COMPLETELY clear of the intersection...only 1 lane past the lane you are turning on....the link I posted has a good graphic i think

I believe it is NJ law that a pedestrian in the street faces oncoming traffic..and it is illegal to walk in the street if there is a sidewalk

Alas, it's all moot, without regular enforcement... as many drivers appear to know.

jmitw said:

I believe it is NJ law that a pedestrian in the street faces oncoming traffic..and it is illegal to walk in the street if there is a sidewalk

Some of the sidewalks in Maplewood are much more dangerous to walk on than streets with oncoming traffic.

sac said:

max_weisenfeld said:

I don't know if it is the law, but pedestrians should always walk facing traffic.  You should at least see them coming.

I believe it is the law.  Bicycles, OTOH, should ride with the traffic.

It might be the law, but I'd pay anything to see it enforced, even moreso to see the look on the pedestrian getting the citation for it.

max_weisenfeld said:

jmitw said:

  When there is a light, you have to stop with a green light if your are turning, but have the right away if going straight on a green light 

The pedestrian, traveling in the direction of the green signal, has the right of way.  You are right, the turning car must yield.

Unless I've got a turn signal.  Even with the big orange hand staring at them, I still get the evil eye when I make the left on the green arrow and someone is obliviously trying to cross.  Never fails.

jmitw said:

I believe it is NJ law that a pedestrian in the street faces oncoming traffic..and it is illegal to walk in the street if there is a sidewalk

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to walk on the sidewalk.  Some sidewalks have vehicles parked across the entire width of the sidewalk (often in front of a garage with a short driveway or a contractor's vehicle). Ice covered sidewalks (in season) can often pose a hazard greater than walking in traffic.  

there are no painted crosswalks on Wyoming ave at all. are you all stating that cars are supposed to stop for a pedestrian to cross anyhow?

Rarely happens - my dog and I can be standing there forever waiting to cross  

Yes, where at intersections along the street.

OliveBee said:

there are no painted crosswalks on Wyoming ave at all. are you all stating that cars are supposed to stop for a pedestrian to cross anyhow?

Rarely happens - my dog and I can be standing there forever waiting to cross  

There is something in the law about yielding in those cases I think..I'd have to go back and check the references

Maybe we can get some Xwalk stripes and signs on Wyoming too.  Who would make that decision?

Essex County I think.

Around here the crosswalk law is that every pedestrian takes his/her life into their hands whenever they enter the crosswalk, whether or not they have a walk sign/the right of way. It is highly likely that someone will blow through the red light, make the right turn on red without stopping/or slowing down, blow through the stop sign, or go around the car in front of them that is stopped because of a pedestrian. Be prepared to be menaced as the cars hurtle at you, when you actually cross the street with the right of way. Until the police start to take this matter seriously and drivers think a bit about something other than themselves, that will be the law, regardless of what is on the books.

@ctrzaka - you are correct - it is a county road...hmmm...who to call...?