CHERRY HILL TWP. -- Officials from throughout the state gathered at Cherry Hill High School West this afternoon to mark the passage of a new law that goes into effect tomorrow.

Starting tomorrow, drivers will be required to come to a complete stop and remain stopped for pedestrians in crosswalks. Prior to this, the law only required drivers to yield. Now, a violation could mean a two-point penalty on the driver's license, a $200 fine, and possibly 15 days of community service as well as insurance surcharges.

Pam Fischer, director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety, said her division is working with law enforcement throughout the state to educate drivers about the new law. Warnings may be issued first, she said.

Last year, there were 157 pedestrian deaths in New Jersey - an increase over the previous two years.

The new law will be detailed in the New Jersey Driver Manual, available online here.