Message from the Raritan Police Department

A message from the Chief of Police on Pedestrian Safety
As the seasons change from winter to spring outdoor activities increase and so does the pedestrian population on our sidewalks and roadways. To keep our pedestrians safe we ask everyone to be aware of your responsibilities to the pedestrian community and follow the laws of New Jersey. As per New Jersey State statute ALL drivers must stop and remain stopped for pedestrians who are crossing within a crosswalk. By being cognizant of your surroundings and knowing your responsibilities, you will be more prepared in keeping our pedestrian and motoring community safe. Below is a copy of portions of statutes explaining the responsibilities of drivers and pedestrians.
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NJ 39:4-36 Driver to yield to pedestrian, driver to stop, exceptions

1. The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, except at crosswalks when the movement of traffic is being regulated by police officers or traffic control signals, or where otherwise regulated by municipal, county or State regulation, and except where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided;
1. The driver of a vehicle shall STOP and remain STOPPED to allow a pedestrian to cross the roadway within a marked crosswalk, when the pedestrian is upon, or within one lane of, the half of the roadway, upon which the vehicle is traveling or onto which it is turning. As used in this paragraph, “half of the roadway” means all traffic lanes conveying traffic in one direction of travel, and includes the entire width of a one-way roadway.
2. No pedestrian shall leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield or stop.
3. Whenever any vehicle is stopped to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.
4. Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
5. Nothing contained herein shall relieve a driver from the duty to exercise due care for the safety of any pedestrian upon a roadway. Nothing contained herein shall relieve a pedestrian from using due care for his safety.

NJ 39:4-32 Crossing roadway; signal

On highways where traffic is controlled by a traffic control signal or by traffic or police officers;

1. Pedestrians shall not cross a roadway against the “stop” or red signal at a crosswalk, whether marked or unmarked, unless otherwise specifically directed to go by a traffic or police officer, or official traffic control device.
2. No driver of a vehicle shall fail to stop and remain stopped for a pedestrian crossing a roadway at a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon, or within one lane of, the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or onto which it is turning during the “go” or green signal. As used in this subsection, “half of the roadway” means all traffic lanes conveying traffic in one direction of travel, and includes the entire width of a one-way roadway.
3. A pedestrian crossing or starting across the intersection on a “go” or green signal, but who is still within the crosswalk when the signal changes, shall have the right of way until the pedestrian has reached the opposite curb or place of safety.
4. No pedestrian shall leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield or stop.
5. Whenever any vehicle is stopped to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.
6. Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.

References LexisNexis 2012 Edition Motor Vehicle and Traffic Laws of New Jersey Gould Publications

Snow Ordinance Reminder
During the winter months citizens of Raritan are reminded of the Snow Emergency No Parking Ordinance that was amended in February 2011. Within the Borough limits all parking of any type of vehicle on any public road, street or highway is prohibited whenever snow has fallen and the accumulation is such that the road, street or highway is snow covered. This parking prohibition will remain in effect after the snow has ceased and until the streets are plowed sufficiently and to the extent that parking will not interfere with the normal flow of traffic. According to the ordinance, the term snow covered means any precipitation depositing any accumulation on the roads, street or highways, including snow, sleet hail, ice or freezing rain, which requires plowing, salting or sanding. The Borough has posted signs at every entrance into town advising motorists of the ordinance pertaining to no parking when roads are snow covered. Notification to the Raritan Borough Police Department must be made as soon as possible if a vehicle must be parked on a road, street or highway in the Borough due to the vehicle not being able to proceed during extreme weather conditions. Unoccupied vehicles that are parked or standing in violation of this ordinance shall be deemed a nuisance and menace to the safe and proper regulations of traffic. Violations of this ordinance may result in the issuance of a summons and/or the removal of your vehicle from the roadway by a wrecker company at your expense. The Raritan Borough Police Department is asking for every citizen and guest of our community to assist with keeping the streets safe for our motorists and pedestrians during snow emergencies. By working together and removing your vehicles from the roadways prior to the streets being plowed it decreases the man hours needed by the professional services provided by Raritan Public Works in clearing your roadways.
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