file photos by Boyd Loving (bike accidents in Ridgewood )
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Upper Saddle River NJ, the 2021 New Jersey Safe Passing Law is designed to remind motorists that they must share the roads with those who are not in vehicles, whether they are bicyclists, pedestrians forced to walk down a road with no sidewalks, or those with mobility challenges who are on motorized scooters.
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Drivers who violate the law face fines and those who violate the law AND cause injury may be subject to larger fines and points on their license. Of course, they may also face additional liabilities for the personal injury caused to others.
What Is the Fine for Not Moving Over in New Jersey?
If a New Jersey motorist does not abide by the law, they face a fine of $100. But in this case, no points will be added to their license. However, more serious infractions involving injury carry a $500 fine as well as 2 points on their motor vehicle license. If a driver is a repeat offender, the penalties are more severe. And accumulating points on a license may result in additional penalties, including surcharges and license suspension.
Why is the Move Over Law So Important?
The law is designed to protect vulnerable people using the roadways from distracted drivers.
According to New Jersey State Police Fatal Accident Statistics, bicyclist deaths on roadways continue to increase each year from 11 in 2019 to 22 in 2021. In 2019 there were 166 pedestrians killed on roadways, but in 2021 that number went up to 205. So far this year, according to State Police statistics, cyclists and pedestrians account for 62 of the 216 traffic fatalities in the state. Distracted drivers have continued to be a problem. Since 2009, over 28,000 citations have been issued for violations of New Jersey’s Move Over Law. The state has started an aggressive awareness campaign to ensure drivers understand their responsibilities when it comes to emergency vehicles in particular.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety recently found that despite efforts to save lives, many drivers still don’t understand why it’s important to comply with the law. Some are not aware of the high risk motor vehicles can pose to roadside workers, specifically. AAA found that on average, a first responder is killed every other week in the United States while working at the roadside.
The AAA’s national survey of drivers also showed among drivers who do not comply with Move Over laws, 42% did not think that it was dangerous at all to roadside workers. Even more surprising, Among those who said they were aware of the law, 15% said they still did not understand it.
Interesting that the post mentions Upper Saddle river.
What about the cyclists on E and W Saddle river road riding 5 abreast blocking the roads, wearing their goofy black paints and dentist mirrors.
How about ticketing them for obstruction of a roadway.
I am very aware and careful around cyclists and pedestrians. There are, however, a few of both who feel that the law gives them the right to no “hug” the curb. When pedestrians are walking 3 and 4 across and you are approaching them in a vehicle and another vehicle is coming in the opposite direction giving you no where to go, the pedestrians will not walk single file along the curb. They should also be ticketed
the 2021 New Jersey Safe Passing Law
Joe Biden sold his bicycle last week.
Pedestrians are required to exercise “due care”; are required to use sidewalks when available; and can be issued a summons when not using available sidewalks.
It would be better if the article told us what we have to do to be compliant with this law. Move over 3 feet? 10? Move into the next lane?