Pedestrian safety has long been an issue in New Jersey, but was brought to the forefront in 2006 when Governor Jon Corzine, citing the designation of New Jersey as a pedestrian safety focus state by the Federal Highway Administration, announced the Governor’s Pedestrian Safety Initiative. The initiative is designed to improve pedestrian safety through the strategic use of education, enforcement and engineering.
New Jersey was cited by the federal government in part because it consistently ranks among the top states in the country for pedestrian injuries. Each year, more than 5,500 pedestrians are injured and almost 150 are killed.
The new state grants will come from a fund established in 2005 to assist municipalities and counties with pedestrian safety problems. State law requires motorists to yield to pedestrians crossing roadways at intersections; failure to do so can result in fines of up to $100, half of which is dedicated to the fund. As of early October, the fund had reached $225,000 and was increasing at a rate of $4,000 to $7,000 per month. However, in recent months, the monthly allotments have risen to $17,000 and $30,000. DHTS officials expect the grants to range between $15,000 and $35,000, although there are no minimums or maximums.
