ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

ASSEMBLY, Nos. 1577 and 1600

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

216th LEGISLATURE

ADOPTED MAY 15, 2014

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  L. GRACE SPENCER

District 29 (Essex)

Assemblywoman  LINDA STENDER

District 22 (Middlesex, Somerset and Union)

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, Assemblymen Garcia and Gusciora

SYNOPSIS

     Requires motorists operating vehicles to maintain reasonable and safe distance when overtaking pedestrians and certain bicycles.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     Substitute as adopted by the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee.

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.