Transportation (Traffic Safety)

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

A 2476: "New Jersey Motorcycle Awareness and Safety Act"; requires DOT to develop public awareness campaign for motorcycle day.

This bill, the "New Jersey Motorcycle Awareness and Safety Act" (A-2476), requires the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) to create and annually update a public awareness campaign focused on motorcycle safety. The campaign must include educational materials on motorcycle safety, information about distracted driving risks, and variable message signs promoting safe road sharing between motorists and motorcyclists. It directly affects all drivers and motorcyclists in New Jersey by aiming to reduce motorcycle-related accidents through improved road awareness. The bill mandates these specific provisions to encourage vigilant driving and safer interactions on New Jersey roads.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires DOT to develop motorcycle safety awareness campaign, directly enhancing transportation safety standards for road users.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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

A 1132: Allows municipalities to approve provision of traffic control services by law enforcement or certain other construction and work zone personnel for certain road construction projects.

This bill allows New Jersey municipalities to approve using law enforcement officers or trained construction workers (not just police) to manage traffic during road construction projects on municipal roads with speed limits of 25 mph or lower. It requires the Transportation Commissioner to set minimum training standards for construction workers providing these services. Municipalities, utilities, or contractors must get local governing body approval before employing such personnel. The law takes effect immediately but applies only to projects starting at least 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationSets training standards for traffic control during road construction, enhancing safety standards for transportation infrastructure projects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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

A 2686: Prohibits school buses from traveling in left lane of roadway except for turning and emergencies.

This bill prohibits school buses from driving in the left lane of roadways with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction, except under three specific circumstances: preparing for a left turn (up to one mile), entering/exiting the roadway (up to one mile), or responding to safety emergencies like accidents, poor visibility, or snow. It directly affects school bus operators and drivers who must follow this lane restriction. Violations carry a fine of $100-$300 plus a $50 surcharge. The law amends New Jersey’s traffic code to enhance safety by keeping school buses out of faster-moving left lanes unless necessary for turns or emergencies.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances road safety by restricting school bus lane usage to prevent blocking traffic, aligning with transportation safety indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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

A 3664: Dedicates unencumbered revenue collected from vehicle size and weight enforcement to Transportation Trust Fund.

This bill redirects fines collected from vehicle size and weight enforcement (under C.39:3-84.3) to the Transportation Trust Fund. It ensures these specific enforcement revenues - previously not dedicated to transportation - are now allocated exclusively for transportation projects. The fund supports road maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and debt service for transportation bonds across New Jersey. This policy change reallocates existing enforcement revenue without creating new taxes or fees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing vehicle enforcement fines to Transportation Trust Fund, increasing dedicated funding for road maintenance and infrastructure without new taxes.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRedirects vehicle size/weight enforcement fines to Transportation Trust Fund for road maintenance and infrastructure projects, explicitly funding transportation priorities without new taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Freight Traffic Safety Transportation Funding

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 67: Requires school districts to provide instruction on the dangers of texting while driving as part of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

S 67 requires New Jersey public school districts to teach students in grades 9-12 about the dangers of texting while driving as part of their health education curriculum. Starting in the 2021-2022 school year, schools must cover how distracted driving correlates with erratic behavior (like lane-weaving) and provide statistics on related accidents, injuries, and fatalities. The Commissioner of Education will provide sample lesson materials and resources to support this instruction. This bill directly affects all New Jersey public high schools and their 9th-12th grade students through mandated curriculum changes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates new health curriculum component on distracted driving safety, enhancing student education programs within K-12 standards per NJ Student Learning Standards.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates education on texting while driving dangers to reduce distracted driving incidents, directly enhancing transportation safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Traffic Safety

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2369: Requires vehicles with large loads or trailers to use right lane of highways.

This bill requires commercial vehicles carrying large loads (where the load extends above the vehicle's sides, tailgate, or rear) and trailers to use the right lane on highways, except when entering or exiting from the left lane. It applies to motor-drawn vehicles, towed vehicles (like trailers), and vehicles with uncovered or extended loads. Violations carry a fine of up to $500 per offense. The law aims to improve highway safety by keeping larger vehicles out of faster-moving left lanes. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Transportation Committee.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly aims to improve highway safety by restricting large vehicles to right lanes, enhancing transportation safety standards per its stated goal.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 54: Enhances penalties imposed on drivers who have never been issued a driver's license.

This bill (S 54) amends New Jersey's driver's license examination requirements, not penalties for unlicensed drivers as the title suggests. It requires the Motor Vehicle Commission to add 20% more questions to the written test, focusing solely on alcohol/drug safety impacts (developed with the Department of Health), and to create new manual supplements covering these topics. The bill also mandates adding up to 20 additional questions about aggressive driving dangers (e.g., erratic lane changes, tailgating) for young drivers, after consulting traffic safety officials. It does not change penalties for unlicensed driving but modifies testing procedures for new license applicants. The bill was introduced to the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee on January 13, 2026.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAdds safety-focused questions to driver's test on alcohol/drug impacts and aggressive driving, directly enhancing transportation safety standards per bill amendments.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety Vehicle Registration

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1917: Requires certain public awareness campaigns to include information about duty of motorist to take certain action when approaching pedestrian, bicycle, or personal conveyance.

New Jersey bill S 1917 requires the state’s Transportation Commissioner and Highway Traffic Safety Director to annually update public awareness campaigns and use variable message signs at least once yearly. The campaigns must inform motorists about their duty to change lanes or reduce speed when approaching pedestrians, bicycles, or personal conveyances (like scooters), as specified in existing law (C.39:4-92.4). The bill mandates that these materials cover the importance of compliance, risks of non-compliance, and associated penalties. It directly affects all drivers in New Jersey through updated public safety messaging. The bill amends prior statutes (P.L.2017, c.358 and P.L.2019, c.370) to expand awareness beyond emergency vehicles to include vulnerable road users.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates safety awareness campaigns to inform motorists about duties near pedestrians/bikes, directly enhancing transportation safety as per support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Traffic Safety

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1970: Repeals law providing that violation of rear seat belt law be treated as secondary offense; establishes certain reporting requirements; requires AG to issue report.

S 1970 changes New Jersey's rear seat belt law by making failure to wear a seatbelt a primary offense (allowing police to stop vehicles solely for this violation), repealing the current secondary offense rule. It directly affects all rear seat passengers in vehicles and requires law enforcement agencies to report traffic stop data related to rear seat belt violations to the Attorney General one year after the law takes effect. The Attorney General must analyze this data against prior years to assess impacts on enforcement practices and submit findings to the legislature within six months. Additionally, the bill mandates that implementation data be included in New Jersey's annual Highway Safety Plan submitted to federal agencies, focusing on crash injury and fatality trends.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStrengthens transportation safety by making rear seat belt non-compliance a primary offense, enhancing enforcement and compliance with vehicle regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 28, 2026

S 3218: "School Zone Automated Speed Enforcement and Safety Act."

This bill allows New Jersey municipalities and counties to install automated speed cameras in school zones only after conducting traffic studies showing a documented safety need, such as frequent speeding or accidents. It sets strict technical requirements: cameras must be accurate within ±1 mph, capture two images (including license plates), and include violation dates. Revenue from citations must fund the "School Zone Safety Improvement Fund" for local safety projects, not general budgets. The law explicitly prohibits current photo radar enforcement until these new standards are implemented, directly affecting school zones, local governments, and drivers who speed near schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates citation revenue fund local safety projects via dedicated 'School Zone Safety Improvement Fund', not general budget, directly funding essential safety programs.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnhances transportation safety through school zone speed enforcement, mandates revenue for local safety projects, and sets technical standards for road safety compliance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

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