| Traffic Bureau
The Traffic Bureau, under the supervision
of Lieutenant Jerome Onnembo, has a continuing responsibility to help
keep vehicle traffic moving safely and expeditiously along the
roadway of the Township. The Traffic Bureau deals with any matter
concerning vehicular parking and handles motor vehicle accident
reporting and investigating.
TRAFFIC SAFETY
Speeding Complaints
The Lyndhurst Police Department actively responds
to complaints of ongoing speeding problems and other traffic infractions
occurring within the township.
If you believe there is a speeding or other recurring
traffic problem on your street or in your neighborhood, you may
submit a request for directed enforcement.
If the nature of your complaint pertains to speeding,
the Traffic Bureau may setup its speed trailer in the problem
area. This radar-equipped unit gives each passing vehicle a visual
readout of its speed and reminds residents of what the actual
posted speed limit is. Oftentimes, people simply don’t realize
how fast they are going and deployment of the trailer serves to
heighten awareness. Use of the trailer also enables the Traffic
Bureau to conduct unobtrusive traffic studies to determine if
any changes such as additional traffic signals, signs or traffic
calming measures are needed. This equipment also contains a counter
to measure the volume of traffic in a given area.
HOW TO SUBMIT A REQUEST:
For your convenience, we have made a
traffic
enforcement request form available online. In order to view
it, you will need Adobe
Reader software installed on your computer, version 4 or higher.
Print out the form after it is completed and
mail or deliver it to the Lyndhurst Police Department, Attention
Traffic Bureau.
NEW CHILD CAR SEAT / SEAT BELT LAW
When and How to Buckle up!
Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians
Sgt. Joseph Turner
P.O. Donna Niland
P.O. Gary Boesch
The following information was comprised from various
training aides and studies conducted by professional child restraint
advocate groups; however, the Lyndhurst Police Department urges
you to thoroughly read your vehicle’s manual and the instruction
manual for each CRS you install. In addition, the return of registration
cards that are provided by the manufacturer of the CRS are important
for receiving information on recalled car seats or car seat parts.
#39:3-76.2a Child passenger
restraint system; booster seat, use; failure to use not contributory
negligence; inadmissibility in evidence.
1. Every person operating a motor vehicle,
other than a school bus, equipped with safety belts who is transporting
a child under the age of eight years and weighing less than 80
pounds on roadways, streets or highways of this state, shall secure
the child in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat,
as described in federal motor vehicle safety standard number 213,
in a rear seat. If there are no rear seats, the child shall be
secured in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat,
as described in federal motor vehicle safety standard number 213.
In no event shall failure to wear a child passenger restraint
system or to use a booster seat be considered as contributory
negligence, nor shall the failure to wear the child passenger
restraint system be admissible as evidence in the trial of any
civil action. L.1983,c.128,s.1; amended 2001, c.244, s.1.
39:3-76.2f seat belt usage requirements for persons ages 8-18;
driver's responsibility.
2. A. Except as provided in p.l.1983, c.128 (c.39:3-76.2a
et al.) For children under eight years of age and weighing less
than 80 pounds, all passengers under eight years of age and weighing
more than 80 pounds, and all passengers who are at least eight
years of age but less than 18 years of age, and each driver and
front seat passenger of a passenger automobile operated on a street
or highway in this state shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened
safety seat belt system as defined by federal motor vehicle safety
standard number 209.
The driver of a passenger automobile shall secure
or cause to be secured in a properly adjusted and fastened safety
seat belt system, as defined by federal motor vehicle safety standard
number 209, any passenger who is at least eight years of age but
less than 18 years of age.
For the purposes of the "passenger automobile
seat belt usage act," the term "passenger automobile"
shall include vans, pick-up trucks and utility vehicles.
Purpose of child restraint
system (CRS):
• prevents ejection
• distributes forces to the strongest part of the skeleton
• spreads crash forces
• provides a “ride down” benefit
Statistics: most recent
data estimates that CRS are:
• 71% effective in reducing deaths for infants in passenger
vehicles
• 54% effective in reducing toddler deaths
• 69% effective in reducing need for hospitalization
• Children are 37% less likely to be fatally injured if
riding in the rear seat
What CRS (“car seat”)
is the safest for my child?
• the one that fits your child
• the one that fits the car
• the one that is used correctly every time
Selecting a CRS:
1. Infant carrier - new born, 5 lbs - 20 and 1 year old
2. Convertible - after 1 yoa and 20 lbs, up to 40 lbs
3. Booster - 30 lbs - 80 lbs (harness to 40 lbs)
4. Special needs (car bed) - under 5 lbs, other medical
5. Vehicle seat belt - 8 yoa or 80 lbs; front seat at 12 yoa
Selecting a location for
your CRS:
• Tough choices are made by parents regarding the location
and may be dependent on type of vehicle, number of children, or
other factors.
• An infant carrier or other rear facing CRS should never
be placed on the front seat (w/airbags), unless airbag can be
disabled or switched to off.
• in general, the rear seat is the safest for your CRS
• in general, the center (rear) is the safest for your CRS
• It should be noted that on many vehicles, “latch”
may not be available for rear, center.
• The CRS must fit properly on the seat regarding contour,
physical dimensions, and slope/angle of seat.
Nomenclature of vehicle restraint system:
Safety/seat belt
• webbing-fabric of belt
• anchor points-where belt is attached to vehicle frame
or seat
• latch plate-metal tongue
• buckle-receptacle for latch plate
• retractor-devise that winds up webbing
Types of latch plates
• locking-locks; requires manual adjustment
• sliding-no locking bar; slides freely
• sewn-permanently attached; sewn in place
• switchable- sliding that can be switched to locking
Types of retractors
• automatic locking (ALR)-locks belt in place after being
pulled out a certain length, and then fed back in
• emergency locking (ELR)-locks belt with sudden stop of
vehicle
• switchable-can be changed from ELR to ALR
Nomenclature of a CRS:
1. Shell/frame
2. Base - for infant carrier, portion that secures to vehicle
seat
3. Padding/cover - material
4. Harness slots - on seat back, for path of harness straps. For
a rear facing child, the straps should enter the slots at or below
the childs shoulders. For a forward facing child, the straps should
enter the slots at or above the childs shoulders.
5. Harness straps (3 point, 5 pt., tray shield, t-shield) should
be snug on child
6. Retainer clip - across chest at armpit level
7. Splitter plate - secures harness straps at rear of CRS
8. Buckle - for latch plate on harness straps
9. Belt path - for seatbelt or latch belt, secures CRS to seat.
There are two belt paths for convertible seats; one for rear facing
and one for forward
10. Recline adjustment - for rear facing, 35-45 degree angle
11. Level indicator - to achieve proper angle
12. Latch - alternate system to vehicle seatbelt
13. Adjustable foot - used to achieve proper angle
14. Locking clip - h shaped clip used to clip belt webbing together
at free sliding latch plate to prevent webbing from slipping through.
Never use as a belt shortener.
15. Belt shortener - similar to locking clip, but heavier, and
can be obtained by vehicle manufacturer. Clip is used to shorten
lap belts around a CRS
Vehicle seat belt vs. “latch”
Latch (lower anchorage and tether system) secures
the CRS to the vehicle seat by way of straps that go through the
CRS belt path and clip onto the vehicle’s lower anchorage
system. The lower anchorage system is located near the seat bight
(where back of seat meets seat portion). Other CRS models have
fixed clips that extend out from CRS and clip onto anchorage.
The tether strap extends from rear, top of CRS and clips to the
tether anchorage point in the vehicle. The tether strap reduces
forward movement and rotation of the seat. *never use a tether
strap on a rear facing CRS, unless otherwise instructed by that
specific make/model (e.g.. Britax). Latch is equally as strong
as a vehicle belt and should be selected based on preference,
convenience, and CRS /vehicle suggestions.
Quick Tips
Infants/rear facing:
• 1 year old and 20 pounds
• harness straps (in slots) at or below shoulders
• do not use tether strap, unless specifically instructed
by CRS manufacturer
• 35-45 degree angle. Angle may be achieved by utilizing
swimming pool “noodles” or rolled a towel (not both)
if adjustable foot does not correct the angle alone.
• most rear facing, up to 30 pound capacity
• never in front of an airbag
• harness clip at armpit level, and straps snug
• carry handle down when locked in base for transport
• 1” test - when installed, the CRS should not slide
(at its base) more than 1 inch in either direction
Forward facing:
• child is at least 1 year old and 20 lbs. No more than
40 lbs. (read manual. Most harness straps have a suggested capacity
of up to 40 lbs. There are exceptions.)
• harness straps (in slots) at or above shoulders
• retainer clip across chest, at armpit level
Booster seats:
• should be in booster until 8 years old or 80 lbs
• 40-80 lbs. (most harness straps good up to 40 lbs)
• child’s ears should be below booster or vehicle
seat back
• seatbelt should be over shoulder and snug across chest,
not across neck (belt positioning booster- BPB, may be needed)
• never use BPB with just a lap belt
• never use a locking clip with a BPB
• if child is under 8 years old, and over 80 lbs, they may
use a seatbelt, however, it is suggested that a child does not
ride in the front seat with an airbag until 12 years of age
* for integrated car seats, see vehicle’s
manual
Common mistakes with the
installation of CRS:
• failure to read instructions
• seatbelt/latch not securing seat tightly
• child facing forward too soon
• harness straps in wrong slots
• locking clip not used when required
• retainer clip not used correctly
• harness straps not tight enough
• wrong choice of CRS for child
• using a re-called or unsafe seat
• foreign objects used to secure or modify a seat
Correct installation tips
• install CRS as tightly as possible without causing damage
to vehicle belt or CRS
• install facing in the proper direction
• place belt through correct belt path
• place your knee in CRS and apply weight to compress vehicle’s
seat cushion
• buckle belt, or latch, and tighten before releasing compressed
seat cushion. For ALR or switchable retractors, you must activate
the retractor’s locking mechanism. If using a locking latch
plate (ie. Lap belt only), be sure the latch plate is locked and
secure.
Aftermarket products
• products that are made by other manufacturing companies
to be used on or with your brand of CRS
• may not be federally crash tested
• may provide illusion of added safety
• may compromise safety; degrade belt performance
Contacts for CRS services
• National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) www.nhtsa.dot.gov.,
(888) 327-4236
• National Safe Kids Campaign, www.safekids.com
• Safety Belt Safe USA, www.carseat.org
• Consumer Products Safety Commission, www.cpsc.gov.
• US Governments Auto Safety Hotline, 1-800-424-9393
MOTORIZED SCOOTERS
We have been receiving inquires about motorized
scooters or “Go-Peds.” Many parents who call are unaware
that they are not only dangerous, but also illegal to operate
on public roadways.
The recent popularity of motorized scooters has raised the issue
of legality of such devices on public roadways. Motorized scooters
or skateboards are sometimes referred to as “Go-Peds”
and can cost up to $600.00. Much of the recent attention has been
focused on the danger of these devices, corroborated by emergency
room visits by their operators. They can be difficult to see by
motorists, and the wheels are so narrow that they are vulnerable
to pavement cracks.
With regard to current law, the Department of Transportation has
publicly stated that motorized scooters are motor vehicles and
therefore subject to Title 39 (Motor Vehicle & Traffic Laws).
Some area police departments have issued unregistered or uninsured
motorist summonses. Others stop the rider and confiscate the motorized
scooter.
A motorized scooter or skateboard falls under the definition of
“motor vehicle” in N.J.S.A. 39:1-1. A “motorcycle”
includes all motor-operated bicycles, whether it has a seat or
a “platform on which the driver stands.” Accordingly,
such devices may not be operated on public property or roadways
because they do not meet the State and Federal Department of Transportation
standards for motorcycles. It is not conceivable the manufacturer
intended for this vehicle to be licensed as a motorcycle since
it does not bear the necessary DOT certification. As with other
motorized vehicles which are prohibited from being operated on
public roads, the Go-Ped would be restricted to use on private
property provided the owner of the property consented to such
use.
Operating a Go-Ped on a sidewalk would be prohibited under Title
39:4-71. These same restrictions against use on public streets
and sidewalks apply to off-road dirt bikes, mini-bikes, go-carts,
etc.
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