TOMS RIVER – A simple thin blue line painted on the street in Downtown Toms River outside the Ocean County Justice Complex is causing a stir in the community. Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy asked the County Board of Commissioners to paint the line on Hooper Avenue in the area of the Ocean County Justice Complex.
Commissioner Gary Quinn today said it isn’t happening.
The Board of Commissioners meets next on April 7th to vote on the matter, but they won’t be voting on a blue line.
Instead, Quinn said they will now be voting on a line of flags instead of paint. That’s because the U.S. DOT and N.J. DOT have both stated painting blue lines in the middle of double yellow lined roads is illegal.
Quinn today said if the county paints the line, the may be held liable, so the commissioners cannot endorse the line.
“The use of blue lines as part of centerline markings does not comply with the provisions of the MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways),” the USDOT said in a brief. The USDOT’s reasoning is that the blue line in the center of two yellow lines does not provide enough contrast for drivers.
Now, Quinn said the county will vote on a line of police themed flags instead.
New Jersey town oversight committee says “thin blue line” on road should go
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