Montgomery Police Target Unsafe Driving in Pedestrian Crosswalk Crackdown

Nicholas Mistretta

MONTGOMERY, N.J. — In a proactive effort to improve pedestrian safety, the Montgomery Township Police Department conducted a targeted enforcement operation on Tuesday, July 22, along Blue Spring Road, focusing on drivers who failed to stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks.

The operation, coordinated by Sgt. Tim Giaccone, Traffic Bureau Supervisor, featured an officer dressed in visible but plain clothing crossing the street in a marked crosswalk while uniformed officers observed driver behavior. The initiative was part of a broader campaign to educate motorists and reduce accidents involving pedestrians.

In just four hours, 66 drivers complied with the law and safely yielded. However, 55 drivers failed to stop, and 46 of those were pulled over by police. Of those stopped:

• 33 motorists received summonses for violating N.J.S.A. 39:4-36 (Failure to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk)
• 13 were issued written warnings
• 2 were cited for driving without a license

Remaining drivers who committed infractions were unable to be stopped due to the simultaneous engagement of officers with previously detained violators.

All stopped drivers were provided with educational palm cards explaining their legal responsibilities toward pedestrians.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to community safety, our department is actively enforcing pedestrian safety laws to protect everyone on our roadways,” said Chief Silvio Bet. “These simple steps—stopping at crosswalks, obeying signals—save lives. Safety is a shared responsibility.”

According to state data, traffic fatalities in New Jersey rose by 14% from 2023 to 2024, largely due to a 36% increase in pedestrian deaths. Encouragingly, fatalities are down in 2025—a 17% decrease in overall traffic deaths and a 31% reduction in pedestrian fatalities compared to the same time last year.

The Police Department said the enforcement operation was conducted in direct response to resident concerns and as part of a broader strategy to improve road safety for walkers, cyclists, and drivers alike. Future crosswalk safety operations are already in planning stages.

The department also extended its appreciation to AAA for providing both training and a pedestrian safety enforcement grant that supported the initiative.

Photo Credit: Montgomery Police Department