From the Morristown police:
On Thursday at approximately 6:10 pm, Morristown Police responded to the area of Elm Street and Franklin Street for a reported motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian.
Officer Joe Heuneman responded and determined that David Rzeckowski, age 39, of Hillsborough, had been walking across Franklin Street when he was struck by a four-door Acura being driven by Michele Mango, age 30, of East Hanover.
It was determined that Mr. Rzeckowski was in the marked crosswalk as Ms. Mango made a left turn onto Franklin Street.
Based upon the results of the initial investigation, Ms. Mango was found to be at fault in this collision and was issued a summons for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
At the scene, Mr. Rzeckowski complained of pain in his lower legs and was transported to the Morristown Medical Center for an evaluation, however the injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.
In broad daylight the majority of drivers in Morristown do not stop for easily visible pedestrians at marked crosswalks even when they have plenty of time to stop. Some drivers do stop, but they are in the minority, and the rest will never stop unless the police actually enforce the law and issue tickets.
The “yield to pedestrians in crosswalk” law is simply something that is not popular and is not obeyed because it does not have majority support.
It’s important for all to remember, because a law exists doesn’t mean pedestrians are safe assuming cars will stop for them, frankly this law gives a false sense of security. There are reasons why river traffic has the right of way over rail and auto, and why rail over auto it’s called inertia. An auto for whatever reason may be unable to stop or not see a pedestrian. Proceed carefully this law was not completely thought out.
Morristown is the wild west. Elm, Morris, and South St. are terrible for pedestrians. Drivers speed, blow through red lights, make turns without looking, and the Morristown Police do NOTHING. I have complained to the town about this for a long time and nothing is done. It is only a matter of time before someone is hit and killed.
and.. in Peapack Gladstone, they don’t speed… why? The police actually enforce the speed limits in the town… South Street is a veritable freeway!
I’ve NEVER in the 50 plus years that I’ve lived here seen anyone ticketed for speeding on South Street.
If you wear all black.. it’s pouring rain and at night.. Well.. pedestrians should at the very least wear something reflective…
The intersection at Elm and Franklin has a crosswalk, a light, and is clearly marked and yet drivers continue to ignore pedestrians. The look of shock in the eyes of the person who almost hit me, as they swerved to barely miss me, as I jumped out of the way, assured me that at least this driver would be more careful from now on. I think the drivers focus on watching for an open spot in the line of cars coming in the other direction and forget to check the crosswalk on the other side.
In town drivers just need to slow down! Our local streets are not highways. When planners evaluate streets according to volume of traffic, the volume of pedestrian traffic also needs to be considered. Large trucks should be banned from neighborhood streets. They often block the views of the streets of other cars and pedestrians. No tractor trailer should be permitted on local street without a permit. Why this law was changed, I do not understand. One of the reasons we are having so much trouble maintaining our roads is because they are not designed to carry those heavy weight trucks.
I drive all over NJ I also worked in Morristown for nearly tweny years, in my experience pedestrians in Morristown are a whole other breed of obnoxious! I have witnessed a people who step out into traffic in front of responding emergency vehicles on more than one occasion, and yes there are many cross walks but people still walk out in the middle of the streets. I’m not saying drivers are not at fault they act like a*ses too!
I’ve Seemn a few close calls also.. Drivers need to slow down and be aware.. Also pedestrians need to be aware as well, don’t assume that the driver sees you. I’ve seen pedestrians just step out in front of a car barely giving the driver time to stop.
I’m sure the weather was part of the issue here (raining and dark at this time). I’ve driven around Morristown at night and it is difficult to see the pedestrians dressed in all dark colors/black coats and pants. I recently tried to make a right turn onto South St from Hamilton during rush hour and nearly hit someone because the sun was in my eyes and he was in the shadow. I was really careful but really could not see him.
I am more frequently a pedestrian on the Morristown streets and am very careful to watch for traffic and not step into the crosswalk unless I know that I am seen. Pedestrians have to take some responsibility too.
Drivers who complain about pedestrians and bicyclists have got to remember that their cars are agents of death. Slow. Down.
I was nearly smashed one Fridsy night as I was crossing Elm at Morris St. There’s too many young kids racing to the bars. The other problem, as I see it, is there are too many crosswalks. Drivers get desensitized to them. They should be limited to where there are traffic lights and a few areas with high visibility and a distance away from any traffic lights.