Bill

Bill > S4000


NJ S4000

NJ S4000
Imposes conditions on drivers approaching stationary vehicles and revises public awareness campaign.


summary

Introduced
01/14/2025
In Committee
05/12/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill amends current law to require motor vehicle drivers to move over or reduce the speed of the motor vehicle and be prepared to stop when approaching any stationary vehicle and to do so for any stationary vehicle regardless of whether the vehicle is displaying flashing, blinking, or alternating lights; flashing hazard warning signal lights; or utilizing road flares or reflective triangles. Under the bill, "vehicle" means every device in, upon, or by which a person or property is or may be transported upon a highway, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks or low-speed electric bicycles, low-speed electric scooters, or motorized bicycles. Under current law, motor vehicle drivers are required to move over, or reduce the speed of their vehicles, and be prepared to stop when approaching stationary authorized emergency vehicles, tow trucks, highway maintenance or emergency service vehicles, and sanitation vehicles displaying certain lights and for disabled vehicles flashing hazard warning signal lights or utilizing road flares or reflective triangles. This bill also requires the Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety to include all stationary vehicles in a public awareness campaign to inform the general public of the importance of reducing speed and changing lanes when approaching stationary vehicles, the risks associated with the failure to do so, and any penalties and fines that are imposed by a failure to reduce speed or change lanes.

AI Summary

This bill expands and simplifies traffic safety regulations regarding how drivers must respond when approaching stationary vehicles. Previously, the law only applied to specific types of emergency, maintenance, and disabled vehicles with specific light configurations. Now, the bill broadens the requirement to apply to all stationary vehicles, mandating that drivers either change lanes away from the stationary vehicle or significantly reduce their speed to less than the posted limit and be prepared to stop. Drivers who violate these rules will face fines between $100 and $500, and those with three or more violations within a 12-month period will have two motor vehicle penalty points added to their record. The bill also requires the Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety to conduct a public awareness campaign to educate drivers about these new requirements, including the risks of non-compliance and the associated penalties. This legislation aims to improve safety for stopped vehicles and their occupants by creating a more comprehensive and clear set of rules for approaching stationary vehicles on the road.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee (on 05/12/2025)

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