Bill > A1850

Introduced Session

This bill prohibits a person from operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) registered in New Jersey unless the CMV is equipped with an underride protection system. The bill defines "underride protection system" as a system consisting of devices installed on the front, rear, and sides of a CMV that reduces the possibility that a person or vehicle may travel underneath the commercial motor vehicle and prevents injuries to passenger automobile occupants, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. A person who operates a CMV registered in this State that is not equipped with an underride protection system is subject to a fine of not less than $50 or more than $100 for the first offense and not less than $100 or more than $200 for subsequent offenses. The bill also requires the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to establish a public awareness campaign to inform the general public about the dangers of underrides and best practices to prevent underrides. An underride protection system is designed to withstand the force of a crash to prevent a vehicle from sliding under a tractor trailer or other large bus or truck. From 1994 to 2015, there were 4,195 fatalities due to crashes involving underrides in the United States. The bill is intended to help decrease the risk of fatalities in crashes involving tractor trailers and other large buses and trucks.

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Britnee Timberlake (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee (on 01/14/2020)