NJ Senate approves "Safe Corridors" legislation
(Trenton) - Transportation Commissioner Jack Lettiere today applauded the New Jersey State Senate following its 32 - 0 approval of legislation in Governor McGreevey's comprehensive "Safety First" initiative. Eight senators were recorded as not voting.
"Through a strong bi-partisan effort, we have taken highway safety to the next level," said Lettiere. "The Legislature has joined with Governor McGreevey in taking the proper steps to ensure the protection of motorists and reduce the risk of accidents in New Jersey."
The "Safe Corridors" bills (A3527/S2456) sponsored by Assemblymen Gary Guear and John Wisniewski and Senators Shirley Turner and Leonard Lance, authorize the designation "Safe Corridors," and double fines for speeding and aggressive driving within those corridors. These include:
ROUTE |
TOTAL CRASHES |
FATALS |
1 |
7,329 |
20 |
9 |
4,114 |
12 |
10 |
1,180 |
6 |
17 |
2,298 |
6 |
22 |
2,992 |
6 |
23 |
1,360 |
9 |
30 |
1,920 |
15 |
40 |
1,282 |
7 |
46 |
3,197 |
7 |
47 |
1,291 |
6 |
73 |
986 |
14 |
130 |
2,209 |
7 |
206 |
2,726 |
15 |
In addition, the bills also double fines on stretches on Interstates 78, 80, 287 and 295 that are not currently posted at 65 miles per hour; increase fines for out-of-state overweight trucks, making violators subject to the same fine schedule as New Jersey based carriers; and uses increased fines to establish a "Highway Safety Fund" from fines that will be used for highway safety programs and enforcement by State Police and local police departments.
The legislation also allows for NJDOT to repeal the Safe Corridors once accident and fatality rates decrease.
In conjunction with the legislative measures, the Department of Transportation has taken the lead on a number of other highway safety projects such as the expansion of a statewide "Safety First" sign program highlighting the #77 Aggressive Driver hotline; establishment of Safety Impact Teams to investigate necessary improvements along state highways; expansion of the 100-mile safety barrier program, allocation of $20 million for engineering and technological highway improvements, addition of 500 miles of raised pavement reflectors over the next two years; recorded driver safety public safety announcements; and expanded driver education programs.
A3527 was approved by General Assembly on May 22 by a vote of 50-24 with two abstentions. Today, the Senate amended A3527 and substituted it for S2456. A3527 now heads back to the General Assembly for concurrence.
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