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The New Jersey Senate Transportation Committee has approved a bill to expand the state's Move Over law, which currently requires drivers to move over for vehicles with hazard lights, road flares, or other warning devices. The new legislation, known as S-4000, will extend this requirement to all stopped vehicles on roadways. Drivers must approach any stopped vehicle with caution, change lanes if possible, and slow down below the posted speed limit.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Paul Moriarty, aims to enhance roadside safety and reduce crashes involving stranded or disabled vehicles. Senator Moriarty emphasized that "every roadside stop, regardless of the vehicle, poses a threat." The legislation seeks to create a uniform standard for safety by focusing on driver behavior rather than the type of vehicle stopped.
Violators of the expanded law could face fines ranging from $100 to $500, along with two motor vehicle penalty points for those convicted of three or more offenses within a year. The Division of Highway Traffic Safety will update the state's public information campaign to inform the public about these new requirements and the risks of not approaching stopped vehicles safely.
According to a 2021 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, collisions with disabled or stopped vehicles result in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries annually, costing an estimated $8.8 billion in medical care, lost work, and other expenses. The bill's approval marks a step toward reducing these incidents and enhancing safety on New Jersey roads.