Bill Text: NJ A4668 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Allows lane filtering by motorcycle operators under certain circumstances.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-09-29 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee [A4668 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-A4668-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman BRANDON E. UMBA
District 8 (Atlantic, Burlington and Camden)
SYNOPSIS
Allows lane filtering by motorcycle operators under certain circumstances.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning motorcycle safety, supplementing Title 39 of the Revised Statutes, and amending R.S.39:3-41.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. (New section) a. As used in this act:
"Lane filtering" means operating a motorcycle on the roads or highways of this State between rows of motor vehicles that are operating in two or more adjacent traffic lanes, which are configured for travel in the same direction.
"Motorcycle" means a two-wheeled motorcycle that is not affixed with a sidecar and shall not include an autocycle as defined in R.S.39:1-1.
b. The operator of a motorcycle shall be entitled to engage in lane filtering as defined in subsection a. of this section at a speed of not greater than 15 miles per hour when traffic is stationary or intermittently motionless. A motorcycle operator who engages in lane filtering shall reenter a lane with due caution when the surrounding stationary or intermittently motionless motor vehicles resume the normal flow of traffic.
c. The operator of a motor vehicle who purposely interferes with or impedes a motorcycle operator who engages in lane filtering pursuant to this section shall be guilty of reckless driving pursuant to R.S.39:4-96.
2. (New section) The Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety shall establish a public awareness campaign to inform the general public concerning the importance of allowing motorcycle operators to engage in lane filtering and the risks associated with the failure to comply with the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
3. R.S.39:3-41 is amended to read as follows:
39:3-41. a. At the time of the issuance of an examination permit or a special learner's permit to operate a motor vehicle, the chief administrator shall make available to each applicant for the examination permit or special learner's permit a driver's manual containing information required to be known and followed by licensed drivers relating to licensing requirements.
b. At the time of any required examination for renewal of a driver's license, the chief administrator shall upon request make available to each applicant for renewal a copy of the manual and any supplements thereto.
c. The driver's manual and any supplements thereto or any other booklet or writing prepared in connection with examinations for drivers' licenses or for renewals of drivers' licenses shall contain all information necessary to answer any question on an examination for a driver's license or for a renewal of a driver's license.
The chief administrator shall publish the driver's manual on the website of the commission in English and each of the three languages, other than English, most commonly spoken in the State, as determined by the chief administrator. The chief administrator shall periodically, and at least every five years, verify the three languages, other than English, most commonly spoken in the State.
d. The chief administrator, following consultation with the organ procurement organizations designated pursuant to 42 U.S.C. s.1320b-8 to serve in the State of New Jersey, shall include in the driver's manual information explaining the provisions of the "Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act," P.L.2008, c.50 (C.26:6-77 et al.), the beneficial uses of donated organs and tissues, and the procedure for indicating on the driver's license the intention to make a donation pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1978, c.181 (C.39:3-12.2). The chief administrator may distribute all remaining copies of the existing driver's manual before reprinting the manual with the information required pursuant to this subsection.
e. The chief administrator, in consultation with the Nikhil Badlani Foundation, shall include in the driver's manual information explaining the dangers of failing to comply with this State's motor vehicle traffic laws and indicating that interested drivers may take the STOP for Nikhil Safety Pledge set forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(1) The "STOP for Nikhil Safety Pledge" is as follows:
"In order to ensure the safety of others on the road, passengers in my car, and myself as a driver, I pledge to obey traffic laws while operating a motor vehicle, be extra cautious, and be attentive to traffic signs and signals and road conditions. Specifically:
I will come to a complete stop at every "stop" sign or red traffic light, and will not proceed through a red traffic light;
I will stay alert, keep two hands on the steering wheel whenever possible, and keep my mind on the road;
I will talk safely by using a hands-free wireless telephone while driving if I am of lawful age to do so and refrain from texting while driving; and I will plan ahead and leave enough time to arrive at my destination."
(2) The chief administrator shall ensure that drivers have the option of taking the pledge set forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection by filling out a standard form made available at motor vehicle offices or by following instructions publicized by the chief administrator directing interested drivers to the appropriate website to complete the pledge.
(3) The chief administrator may distribute all remaining copies of the existing driver's manual before reprinting the manual with the information required pursuant to this subsection.
f. The chief administrator, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health and the Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety, shall include in the driver's manual information explaining the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning from motor vehicles and techniques for the safe operation and proper maintenance of a motor vehicle. The chief administrator may distribute all remaining copies of any existing driver's manual before reprinting the manual with the information required pursuant to this subsection.
g. The chief administrator, in consultation with the Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety, shall include in the driver's manual information regarding the safe practice of lane filtering by motorcycle operators and the risks associated with the failure to comply with the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
The chief administrator may distribute all remaining copies of any existing driver's manual before reprinting the manual with the information required pursuant to this subsection.
(cf: P.L.2019, c.271, s.24)
4. Section 1 of this act shall take effect on the first day of the 13th month next following the date of enactment and sections 2 and 3 shall take effect on the first day of the fourth month next following the date of enactment, but the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission and the Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety may take any anticipatory action in advance thereof as shall be necessary for the implementation of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill allows the operator of a motorcycle to engage in lane filtering when surrounding traffic is stationary or intermittently motionless. Under the bill, a motorcycle operator would be allowed to filter through traffic by driving between rows of motor vehicles that are operating in two or more adjacent traffic lanes configured for travel in the same direction.
The bill prohibits motorcycle operators from lane filtering at a speed of greater than 15 miles per hour. A motorcycle operator who engages in lane filtering would be required to reenter a lane with due caution when the surrounding stationary or intermittently motionless motor vehicles resume the normal flow of traffic.
A driver who purposely interferes with a motorcycle operator who is lane filtering would be charged with reckless driving. Reckless driving is punishable by imprisonment for up to 60 days, a fine of $50 to $200, or both, and five motor vehicle penalty points.
The bill requires the Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety to establish a public awareness campaign that informs the general public of the importance of allowing motorcycle operators to engage in lane filtering and the risks associated with the failure to comply with the bill's provision. In addition, the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission, in consultation with the Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety, is required to include in the driver's manual information regarding the safe practice of lane filtering by motorcycle operators.
The public awareness campaign and change to the driver's manual is to take place three months after the bill's enactment. The provisions of the bill allowing lane filtering are to take effect one year after the bill's enactment in order to ensure that motorists are fully informed of the bill's provisions before they take effect.
