Breakfast links: Law-abiding, at least in Jersey

That’s respect

Here’s one way to get drivers to stop using cell phones: Look like a cop while making motions through a car window. (Waiter Rant)

Stop for pedestrians in New Jersey

New Jersey has tightened its pedestrian safety laws. Drivers now have to stop completely for pedestrians in crosswalks. Also, the law creates a presumption that a driver is at fault who hits a pedestrian in a crosswalk. (Courier-Post via How We Drive)

Charges pending already?

A truck driver hit a woman standing outside her minivan in the Springfield interchange. “Police say charges are pending against the truck driver.” We don’t know what police found out on the scene, but when vehicle drivers kill pedestrians and cyclists charges are almost never pending so quickly. What’s different? (WTOP)

Don’t drive, especially here

Roads will be terrible today and tomorrow thanks to the nuclear summit. The Post has an interactive map showing real-time incidents.

Close M Street in G’town weekends?

Georgetown Metropolitan suggests closing M Street to traffic on weekends. It could draw more shoppers, merchants could set up outside, and drivers barely move anyway as it is.

2 school fires

Eastern High School in Capitol Hill and Turner @ Green Elementary in Congress Heights both suffered fires on Sunday. They don’t appear to be connected. (Post, CHOTR, City Desk)

PG’s missed opportunities

A Coalition for Smarter Growth report demonstrates numerically what we all know: Prince George’s is missing out by planning major development far from its Metro stations. (Examiner) … That’s a big part of why drivers think traffic has gotten worse in recent years. (Post)

Old, white, retired people

Montgomery planners recap Thursday’s blogger panel. One highlight was Dan Reed’s exhortation to stop letting “white, middle-class, retired” people dominate planning decisions (The Straight Line) … Montgomery Planning Board Chairman Royce Hanson will appear on Kojo today.