Transportation (Traffic Safety) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 100: Establishes "Distracted Driver Enforcement and Education Fund."

This bill amends New Jersey's distracted driving law to clarify prohibited uses of wireless devices while driving (except for emergencies or hands-free use), increases fines for violations (especially texting), and creates the "Distracted Driver Enforcement and Education Fund." The fund is financed by 50% of fines collected from distracted driving violations, with the remaining 50% going to the county/municipality where the violation occurred. Money in the fund will be used by the state's Highway Traffic Safety Division to provide grants to local governments for enforcement support and public education campaigns about the dangers of distracted driving. The bill directly affects drivers who violate the law and local governments that can apply for grants to address distracted driving in their communities.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 509: Requires dealership to notify buyers of recalls on used motor vehicles for sale.

This bill requires retail used car dealers in New Jersey to check for open safety recalls on vehicles before selling them to consumers. Dealers must verify recall status using the vehicle’s identification number (VIN) via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database and inform buyers if any unresolved recalls exist. If the NHTSA database shows no recalls after a dealer checks it, the law presumes the dealer had no knowledge of existing recalls - though this doesn’t absolve dealers of responsibility for NHTSA database errors. The rule applies only to retail sales (not wholesale or junkyard transactions) and aims to ensure buyers are aware of potential safety issues before purchasing a used vehicle.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1547: Increases prison time for certain persons convicted of a motor vehicle offense when license suspended for DUI.

This bill (S 1547) increases penalties for drivers convicted of operating a vehicle while their license is suspended due to a DUI offense, specifically targeting repeat violations. It raises the jail sentence for third or subsequent offenses from 10 days to "not less than 30 days or more than 180 days" when the violation occurs within five years of a prior similar conviction. The bill directly affects individuals with multiple DUI-related license suspensions who drive while suspended. It amends New Jersey's vehicle code to strengthen penalties for these specific repeat offenses, without changing other provisions like fines or registration revocation. The bill was introduced in January 2026 and referred to the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Corrections Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1390: Requires Division of Highway Traffic Safety to conduct public awareness campaign regarding bicyclist and pedestrian safety.

S 1390 requires New Jersey's Division of Highway Traffic Safety to create a public awareness campaign about bicyclist and pedestrian safety. The campaign must explain current state laws, including rules for cyclists keeping to the right side of roads (C.39:4-14.2) and rules for motorists safely passing pedestrians or cyclists (C.39:4-92.4), along with the penalties for breaking these rules. It directly affects drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians by providing clear information about existing safety regulations. The bill mandates this campaign without changing any current laws, focusing on education rather than new restrictions.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 520: Increases penalties for failing to secure a child in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat while operating a motor vehicle.

This bill increases penalties for drivers who fail to secure children in car seats or booster seats. For a first offense, fines rise from $50-$75 to $100, with courts waiving the fine if the driver shows they own a car seat. Second or subsequent offenses carry fines of $250-$500. It also creates a fund where $25 from each fine will be used to buy car seats for distribution programs through New Jersey's Highway Traffic Safety Division.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 1835: Reallocates fines incurred for violations of "Antwan's Law" to local municipality for pedestrian safety and law enforcement purposes.

This bill redirects fines for speeding violations under "Antwan's Law" in specific Burlington City zones (Route 130) to local municipalities. Currently, these tripled fines go to general municipal funds and county road funds, but this bill requires all such fines to be paid directly into the municipality's treasury. The funds must be used exclusively for pedestrian safety initiatives and law enforcement purposes within the municipality. It affects drivers who speed in the designated Burlington City areas covered by Antwan's Law, which reduces speed limits to 25-35 mph near schools and residential zones following a pedestrian fatality.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1545: Criminalizes fifth or subsequent drunk driving offenses.

This bill (S 1545) makes a fifth or subsequent drunk driving conviction a criminal offense (third degree) in New Jersey, rather than a traffic violation. It imposes a 10-year driver’s license suspension for repeat offenders, extending to 20 years if the offense occurs near schools (within 1,000 feet of school property, at designated school crossings, or where juveniles are present). Convicted individuals must complete alcohol education programs and pay a $100 fee, with failure to comply risking additional jail time. The bill directly affects individuals with multiple DUI convictions, particularly those driving in school zones.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Corrections Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 510: Requires dealerships to notify buyers of recalls on used motor vehicles for sales; limits attorneys' fees in certain consumer actions.

This bill requires used car dealers to check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website for open recalls using a vehicle’s VIN before selling it. If recalls exist, dealers must inform buyers and provide printed recall details; they cannot sell vehicles with active "stop sale" or "do not drive" orders. The bill also limits attorneys’ fees in consumer lawsuits under the Consumer Fraud Act to either $1,000 or one-third of awarded damages, whichever is lower. It applies to dealers selling used vehicles at retail (excluding wholesale or junkyard sales), directly protecting buyers from purchasing unsafe vehicles and capping legal costs in fraud cases.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1195: Requires school buses transporting students with special needs to be equipped with certain safety features.

This bill requires all school buses transporting students with special needs in New Jersey to install two safety features: (1) an electronic seat belt alert system that audibly and visually notifies drivers if any seat belt is unfastened during motion, and (2) unique barcodes on the bus interior/exterior that drivers scan after trips to confirm no students were left behind. It directly affects school bus operators and drivers serving special needs students. The Commissioner of Education will develop implementation rules with the Motor Vehicle Commission, and the law takes effect six months after enactment. The bill aims to prevent accidents and ensure student safety during transportation.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics School Transportation Public Transit Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 881: Permits designation of special event zones for traffic regulation purposes during certain large events.

This bill allows New Jersey municipalities, counties, and the Department of Transportation to create "special event zones" during large automotive events (defined as gatherings with 25+ attendees). Within these zones, authorities can temporarily lower speed limits for safety and ban "exhibition driving" (dangerous maneuvers like burnouts or skidding). Violations of traffic rules in these zones carry increased fines up to $1,000, with stricter penalties for offenses like speeding or reckless driving. The zones remain active during the event and for a reasonable time before and after, requiring clear signage to inform drivers.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

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