Published: April 1, 2010

Legislators are using the image and story of a former Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) student to promote a new New Jersey law scheduled to go into effect on April 1. The law, aimed at increasing pedestrian safety, is using the story of Casey Feldman, formerly FCLC ’10 and news editor of the Observer, who was killed in July when a van struck her while crossing a street in Ocean City, N.J.

The state law will require drivers to come to a complete stop and remain stopped for pedestrians, replacing the current “yield” signs. Lawmakers are promoting the new law in a series of press conferences, as well a number of posters bearing Feldman’s image. The advertisements urge people to “Stop for Pedestrians,” bearing the now-popular “Becase of Casey, I will…” slogan.

The legislation dates back to before Feldman’s death, but her parents, Joel Feldman and Dianne Anderson, will be part of its promotion. “Pedestrian safety is very much a shared responsibility,” Feldman said. “The new law requires motorists to stop and remain stopped for pedestrians in the crosswalk. It also requires pedestrians to be more vigilant and attempts to protect pedestrians by eliminating some of the confusion about just what precisely the old law required for motorists—‘must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk’—what does yield mean? Some of the research showed that it means anything from ‘stop’ to ‘if I get there first I have the right of the way over the pedestrian,’ to ‘just slow and see if the pedestrian keeps walking,’ etc.”

Feldman’s parents have been active in promoting awareness for pedestrian safety, and according to Joel, he hopes that the new law will bring even more awareness. “A 21-year-old woman with such a promising future should not die as a result of being struck while in a crosswalk in broad daylight. No one should. It is hoped that by putting a personal face on this tragedy, people will think more carefully about their driving and we will all be safer,” he said.