Lakewood Mayor Ray Coles responds to your ‘Ask The Mayor’ questions: Legal or illegal?

The following is an ‘Ask The Mayor’ question submitted to TLS, and the Mayor’s response. Email your questions for the Mayor to [email protected].

Question:

Mr. Mayor:

Thank You for responding to many issues in our community.

As you know, the traffic in Lakewood has been terrible for a long time and I know you have been working on solutions. My question is about something that when enforced, makes traffic that much more difficult. When driving down say, Route 9 there are many streets where people “line up” to make left turns. When that happens most people go around in the shoulder which is passing on the right and in the shoulder. Can we get clarification on the enforcement in these cases and is there maybe a solution in putting left turning lanes by the many streets this is relevant to avoid this problem?

Response from Mayor Coles:

Good afternoon,

I checked with our traffic & safety Department. It is legal to use the shoulder to pass a left turning vehicle. It must be done safely – go slowly & make sure to yield to pedestrians or other vehicles. The driver must also stay on the pavement. Do not go onto grass, dirt or sidewalk.

We are currently adding turning lanes on some streets & are looking to add more turning lanes to many more of our local, County & State roads.

Thank you,

Ray

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9 COMMENTS

  1. what about passing on the left ?!
    I cant even count how many times i stop for pedestrians and the guy behind me is in a bigger rush than the rest of the town and passes me on the left nearly hitting the person i stopped for .

    I think hashem would rather us drive safe and save lives than be a minute late to yeshiva this doesn’t make you a better person!

    And if your so concerned about getting to yeshiva late leave a extra 10 minutes early.
    Thank you!

  2. I would suggest the mayor check again, because the information he provided directly conflicts with NJ Traffic Laws:

    39:4-85. Passing to left when overtaking; passing when in lines; signalling to pass; passing upon right
    The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass at a safe distance to the left thereof and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. If vehicles on the roadway are moving in two or more substantially continuous lines, the provisions of this paragraph and section 39:4-87 of this Title shall not be considered as prohibiting the vehicles in one line overtaking and passing the vehicles in another line either upon the right or left, nor shall those provisions be construed to prohibit drivers overtaking and passing upon the right another vehicle which is making or about to make a left turn.

    The driver of an overtaking motor vehicle not within a business or residence district shall give audible warning with his horn or other warning device before passing or attempting to pass a vehicle proceeding in the same direction.

    The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right as provided in this section only under conditions permitting such movement in safety.******** In no event shall such movement be made by driving off the pavement or main-traveled portion of the roadway.****

    Per the NJ Driving Manual:

    Never pass on the right shoulder of the road. This is against the law (NJSA 39:4-85)

    This violation carries a total of 4 points

  3. @scared to drive

    Are you one of those people that stop smack in middle Monmouth or Clifton Ave to let people cross?

    The reason I pass you on the left, is bec my other option is to rear end you.

    You do not belong stopping in middle of a busy Ave.
    Crosswalks is a different story. But cars shouldn’t be stopping in middle of no where to let people cross the street.

  4. I am not sure why that is such a problem and concern with the traffic I think the main concern is that roads lead to nowhere – all the roads and up in cul-de-sacs and dead ends and there is no room for cars to be. Every dead end and cul-de-sac built in Lakewood only at houses and more traffic but don’t help the problem that we need roads to cross through main Avenue is not on to the main avenues.

  5. The state law prohibits a vehicle to cross a solid white line to pass another vehicle. @ hunch 1st you need to slow the heck down and maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. 2. Its the State law to stop your vehicle at a designated pedestrian cross walk. STOP THE AGRESSIVE DRIVING BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.

  6. To”it’s the law” it is only required to stop for a pedestrian crossing the street at a crosswalk not in middle of the street.

Comments are closed.