Bill > A4813

This bill modifies existing New Jersey traffic safety laws to expand requirements for drivers approaching stationary vehicles with flashing or blinking lights. The bill broadens the previous law, which only applied to emergency vehicles, to now include a wider range of stationary vehicles such as tow trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, sanitation vehicles, public utility vehicles, and vehicles owned by public utility employees. Drivers are now required to either change lanes away from the stationary vehicle or, if changing lanes is not possible or safe, reduce their speed to below the posted speed limit and be prepared to stop. The legislation also mandates that the state's driver's manual include information about these new requirements, explaining the importance of changing lanes or slowing down when approaching stationary vehicles with flashing lights. Violations of these rules can result in fines between $100 and $500, and drivers who commit three or more offenses within a 12-month period will be assessed two motor vehicle penalty points. Additionally, the bill requires the Division of Highway Traffic Safety to establish a public awareness campaign to inform drivers about these new traffic safety provisions, the associated risks of non-compliance, and the potential penalties.

Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A4813