Crosswalk decoy detail yields 55 violations

Sep, 11-2009 8:21 pm

VENTNOR – A crosswalk decoy set up Monday, Sept. 7 at Wyoming and Monmouth avenues to catch violators of the yield to pedestrian law nabbed 55 offenders in a span of two and a half hours, according to Sgt. Charles Wood of the Ventnor City Police Department.

Lt. Howard Bloom, wearing a brightly colored shirt with a hat to stand out, served as the decoy.

A number of the violators reported that they never saw him, even though he stood in the crosswalk and gave the drivers more than 102 feet to catch sight of him and come to a stop, Wood said.

The intersection was chosen, he said, as it is a school crossing for the Ventnor Educational Community Complex.

Prior to the initiation of the detail, the officers received standardized enforcement training required by the state as part of a grant. The training included what the decoy should wear, how to step into the crosswalk, and the distance to give motorists to recognize the decoy and come to a controlled stop.

Violators were given warnings and brochures explaining the law. Drivers who violate the law can receive two points on their driver’s license, a $100 fine, up to 15 days imprisonment, and insurance surcharges.

For information see www.SJTSA.org and www.ventnorcitypolice.org.