The traffic signal may say go. But motorists better take a good long look before proceeding into any Morristown intersection.
“Block the box,” and it could cost you $250.
On Tuesday, the town council voted 6-0 (Council President Toshiba Foster was absent) to amend its traffic laws to prohibit any vehicle from entering an intersection “unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection to accommodate the vehicle…without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, notwithstanding any traffic-control signal indication to proceed.”
The measure’s stated intention is to minimize gridlock and reduce danger to people in crosswalks. At least three pedestrians using crosswalks have been struck by vehicles since April.
Intersections will get new “Don’t Block the Box” signs and striping, according to the ordinance.
Violators of the new law will face minimum fines of $250.
Councilman Stefan Armington also asked the administration to study eliminating right turns at red lights for congested intersections such as Early Street / Speedwell Avenue and South and Elm streets.
Enforcing the turn signal law with a 250 dollar fine will save many more accidents from occurring. Especially at night, in the rain! Am I Add to that 250 a cell phone violation. Now we can be more civilized while driving!
Try to get a policeman to use his turn signal? Set a good example???
Easier to breathe underwater.
They could make a fortune at the intersection by CVS!
Why not just also mandate dedicated crossing phases for pedestrians?!?
Safe traffic signal turning phases, extended yellow phases, and longer red to green phases make it safe.
I love how the emphasis is on enforcement rather than simply designing safety into a system.
Of course, the simplest and most progressive option is the modern roundabout…the safest and most efficient way to move traffic through an intersection bar-none… but nope, New Jerseyians would rather stare at red lights and run people over than have anything that resembles an actual working solution.
This is great news. Cars block South Street intersection (at Elm) every day. It is so inconsiderate not to mention against the law. We wait patiently at the long light at the top of Elm Street and then cannot move because there are several cars on South Street blocking our way. It just shows no consideration of anyone else.
This is great news that these safety measures are being implmented. Perhaps to underscore the law, Morristown can consider rainbow striping the crosswalks, as was recently done in Maplewood (very cool): https://villagegreennj.com/towns/maplewood/photos-maplewood-celebrates-1st-permanent-rainbow-crosswalks-in-nj/