STATE OF NEW JERSEY
217th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2016 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman L. GRACE SPENCER
District 29 (Essex)
Assemblywoman NANCY J. PINKIN
District 18 (Middlesex)
Assemblywoman SHAVONDA E. SUMTER
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblymen Moriarty, Diegnan, Assemblywoman Jasey, Assemblymen Eustace, Singleton, Assemblywoman Jimenez and Assemblyman Gusciora
SYNOPSIS
Requires motorists operating vehicles to maintain reasonable and safe distance when overtaking pedestrians and certain bicycles.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning the operation of motor vehicles overtaking certain bicycles and pedestrians and supplementing Title 39 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. (1) The driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction as the vehicle shall leave a reasonable and safe distance between the vehicle and the bicycle of not less than four feet until the vehicle has safely passed the bicycle.
(2) The driver of a vehicle overtaking a pedestrian shall leave a reasonable and safe distance between the vehicle and the pedestrian of not less than four feet until the vehicle has safely passed the pedestrian.
b. For the purposes of this section, “pedestrian” shall include, but not be limited to, a pedestrian as defined in R.S.39:1-1, a person in a wheelchair or motorized wheelchair as defined in R.S.39:1-1, a person employed by or who contracts with any public utility company in this State, a property maintenance worker, or any other person who is legally permitted to be upon the roadway for work or recreation.
c. A person violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine of not less than $100 or more than $500.
2. This act shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month following enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill requires motorists to maintain a reasonable and safe distance of at least four feet when overtaking a pedestrian. The bill also requires a motorist to maintain a reasonable and safe distance of at least four feet when overtaking a bicycle that is travelling in the same direction. The bill defines pedestrian to include: pedestrians, persons in wheelchairs, utility and property maintenance workers, and any other persons legally permitted to be upon the roadway for work or recreation. The penalty for a violation is a fine of between $100 and $500.