Sponsored by:
Assemblyman GORDON M. JOHNSON
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits talking on cell phone or text messaging when operating a boat.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act prohibiting the use of interactive wireless communication devices when operating a moving vessel and supplementing chapter 7 of Title 12 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. It shall be unlawful to use a hand-held or hands-free interactive wireless communication device, except in an emergency, while operating a vessel on the waters of this State.
b. As used in this act:
"interactive wireless communication device" shall not include an amateur radio; and
"use" of an interactive wireless communication device shall include, but not be limited to, talking or listening to another person on the telephone, text messaging, or sending an electronic message via the wireless telephone or electronic communication device.
c. A person who violates this section shall be fined $100.
d. The Boat Regulation Commission in the Department of Law and Public Safety shall develop and undertake a program to notify and inform the public as to the provisions of this act.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would prohibit a person from talking on a cell phone or text messaging while operating a boat.
Specifically, the bill makes it unlawful to use a hand-held or hands-free interactive wireless communication device while operating a vessel on the waters of this State. The bill makes an exception for emergencies. The penalty for a violation of the bill's provisions is a $100 fine.
The bill requires the Boat Regulation Commission to develop and undertake a program to notify and inform the public of the prohibition on using interactive wireless communication devices while operating a boat.
The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a safety recommendation concerning the potential danger of crewmembers being distracted by the use of cell phones and other wireless devices and the Coast Guard has instituted a policy to prohibit the use of cell phones by operators of Coast Guard vessels. Recreational boaters similarly can be distracted by using cell phones or wireless devices while operating their boats. The sponsor hopes to increase the public safety on this State's waterways by prohibiting this dangerous behavior.