Transportation (Traffic Safety) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 553: Repeals law providing that violation of rear seat belt law be treated as secondary offense; establishes certain reporting requirements; requires AG to issue report.

This bill changes New Jersey's seat belt law by making it a primary offense for rear seat passengers to not wear seat belts, meaning police can now stop and ticket drivers solely for this violation (instead of only when stopping for another reason). It repeals current law that treated rear seat belt non-compliance as a secondary offense. The bill also requires all state and local police departments to submit detailed reports one year after implementation, tracking traffic stops related to rear seat belt violations, including reasons for stops, citations issued, searches, and arrests. The Attorney General must then analyze this data against prior years' information to assess impacts on law enforcement practices and report findings to the governor and legislature within six months. Additionally, the state must include this information in its federal Highway Safety Plan, detailing effects on crash injuries and fatalities.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3109: Requires Division of Highway Traffic Safety to conduct public awareness campaign regarding bicyclist and pedestrian safety.

This bill requires New Jersey's Division of Highway Traffic Safety to launch a public awareness campaign about bicyclist and pedestrian safety. It directly affects the public, including cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists, by educating them on specific safety rules. The campaign must cover existing laws requiring cyclists to stay right on roads, safe passing distances for motorists (including for e-bikes and scooters), associated penalties, and dangers of violations. The goal is to inform people about current legal requirements and safety practices without changing existing laws.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2785: Increases prison time for certain persons convicted of a motor vehicle offense when license suspended for DUI.

This bill increases penalties for driving with a license suspended due to a DUI conviction. For third or subsequent offenses, it mandates 30 to 180 days in jail (up from fines alone) and adds a 1-year license suspension extension. It also imposes longer prison terms (60-180 days for repeat offenses) when driving near schools, school zones, or within 1,000 feet of school property. These changes apply specifically to individuals convicted of operating a vehicle during a DUI-related license suspension.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Corrections Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3670: Allows municipality to use school bus video footage to ticket driver for illegally passing school bus.

S 3670 allows New Jersey municipalities to use school bus video footage to issue tickets for illegally passing school buses. Law enforcement must review the footage within 90 days to determine if a violation occurred and issue a $100 ticket for a first offense (or $250 for repeat offenses), with footage deleted within 60 days after fines are paid or 3 days if no ticket is issued. Vehicle owners and operators are jointly liable for fines, though lessors can avoid responsibility by providing the lessee's details to the court. The bill specifies that school bus video footage is not a public record and cannot be used in most legal proceedings outside of this specific traffic enforcement context.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 997: Reallocates fines incurred for violations of "Antwan's Law" to local municipality for law enforcement purposes.

This bill amends "Antwan's Law" (P.L.2019, c.5) to change where fines for speeding violations in specific Burlington City zones on Route 130 go. Currently, fines for these violations are tripled but split between the municipality (for general use/municipal court) and the county (for road maintenance). The bill changes this so all fines collected for violating these speed limits must be paid directly into the local municipality's treasury for law enforcement purposes. It directly affects drivers who exceed the reduced speed limits in the designated areas of Burlington City.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✗ Transportation

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1574: "Drew's Law"; establishes 15 miles per hour speed limit in or near certain public parks.

This bill (A 1574, "Drew's Law") establishes a 15 miles per hour speed limit on roads passing through or directly adjacent to public parks during specific times: when the park is open, children are visible from the roadway, or children are entering/exiting park events. It directly affects drivers in these areas and applies to state-owned parks (defined as parks, recreation facilities, or playgrounds under state control), while allowing counties or municipalities to adopt similar limits for their local parks. Violating this speed limit increases fines from $50-$200 to $100-$400 under current law. The bill aims to improve safety near parks following a tragic incident involving a child, but focuses solely on the policy change without advocating outcomes.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

AR 82: Urges restaurants to include warnings against use of mobile ordering features while driving.

This is a non-binding resolution (not a law) urging New Jersey restaurants that accept mobile orders to add pop-up warnings reminding customers not to place orders while driving. It directly affects restaurants in New Jersey using mobile ordering platforms, asking them to implement simple safety features during the ordering process. The resolution cites data showing distracted driving - including mobile ordering - contributes to 42 highway fatalities in New Jersey during 2021 and 3,142 nationwide deaths in 2020. It does not impose penalties but encourages voluntary adoption of safety measures to reduce distracted driving risks.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2362: Establishes School Transportation Safety Commission in Department of Law and Public Safety.

This bill establishes an independent School Transportation Safety Commission within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety. The commission, composed of eight members including three state agency directors (ex-officio) and five public appointees by the Governor, must review school bus safety regulations, prepare biannual safety reports using transportation data, and track implementation of past safety recommendations. The commission can request information from state and local agencies to fulfill its duties. It takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 752: Requires blood sample to be obtained from driver involved in motor vehicle accident resulting in death; designated as "Michelle Sous' Law."

This bill, designated "Michelle Sous' Law," requires law enforcement to obtain a mandatory blood sample from any driver involved in a motor vehicle accident that results in a death. It directly affects drivers in fatal crashes by adding a specific investigative step to determine if alcohol or drug impairment contributed to the accident. The key provision mandates blood sample collection as part of the standard investigation process, without altering existing DUI penalties. The law is named after Michelle Sous, a victim of a fatal crash involving an impaired driver.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 3082: Establishes public-private partnerships to share de-identified traffic data.

This bill creates a framework for New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to partner with private companies to collect and share de-identified traffic data. It allows private entities to handle the development and operation of data projects using location information (like vehicle positions within 1,750 feet) and driving conditions, as long as the data cannot be linked to specific individuals. The goal is to provide real-time, accurate information to motorists and the DOT about road closures, weather, and traffic conditions. All projects must comply with state data privacy laws, and private partners are explicitly not considered state agencies.

Topics ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Autonomous Vehicles Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

All transportation bills