Sponsored by:
Senator LINDA R. GREENSTEIN
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Senator JAMES W. HOLZAPFEL
District 10 (Ocean)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senator Stack
SYNOPSIS
Requires interior light of motor vehicle be turned on when stopped by law enforcement under certain circumstances.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on November 3, 2016, with amendments.
An Act concerning motor vehicle lighting and amending P.L.1997, c.374.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.1997, c.374 (C.39:4-57.1) is amended to read as follows:
1. 1a.1 The driver of a motor vehicle equipped with an interior light, when stopped by a law enforcement officer [during the period when lighted lamps are required], shall [, upon request of the officer,] activate an interior light of the vehicle in order to illuminate the driver's compartment of the vehicle during the period when lighted lamps are required, or upon request of the officer during the period when lighted lamps are not required. A fine of 1[$50] $351 shall be imposed upon any person who [purposely refuses] fails to comply with this section.
1b. The chief administrator shall utilize the Internet and any other available means to promote public awareness that drivers are required to activate the interior light of a motor vehicle during the period when lighted lamps are required, or upon request of the law enforcement officer during the period when lighted lamps are not required.
c.1 As used in this section, “when lighted lamps are required” means the same as that term is defined in R.S.39:3-46.
(cf: P.L.1997, c.374, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect 1[immediately] on the first day of the fourth month next following the date of enactment1.