The New Jersey Senate Transportation Committee has advanced a bill that would require the New Jersey Department of Transportation to publish an annual public awareness program.
S-3501 requires the transportation commissioner and the Division of Highway Traffic Safety director to update public awareness programs and a public awareness campaign annually. These programs and campaigns inform motorists of their duty to take certain actions when approaching certain vehicles and the importance of these actions.
“Anyone who has ever rode a bicycle or had to change a tire alongside motor vehicles on a busy road understands that sharing this space isn’t just a courtesy, it could be a life or death situation,” state Sen. Latham Tiver, a Republican, said in a statement. “By instituting this public awareness campaign about New Jersey’s updated move-over laws, we’re making our roads safer for everyone by educating drivers on best practices when faced with these potentially fatal, but easily avoidable situations.”
The bill also requires the commissioner to use variable message signs at least once per year to inform motorists of their duty to take certain actions when approaching certain vehicles and the importance of taking these actions.