Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Requires that drivers in right-hand lanes yield to drivers in other lanes when emergency vehicles sounding sirens and displaying red lights approach.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning authorized emergency vehicles and amending R.S.39:4-92.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. R.S.39:4-92 is amended to read as follows:
Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle giving audible signal, and equipped, as required by [section] R.S.39:4-91 [of this Title], and unless otherwise directed by a police or traffic officer[,] :
(a) The driver of every vehicle shall immediately drive to a position as near as possible and parallel to the right-hand edge or curb of the highway, clear of an intersection of highways, and shall stop and remain in that position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed [and] . In areas where there are two or more lanes of traffic flowing in the same direction, the driver of a vehicle in the right-hand lane or the lane adjacent to the right-hand lane shall, if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions, yield to or make room for drivers in the other lanes.
(b) The driver or person in control of a street car shall immediately stop the car clear of an intersection of highways and keep it stationary until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed.
No driver of any vehicle other than one on official business shall follow any authorized emergency vehicle, traveling in response to an emergency call, closer than 300 feet, or drive nearer to, or park the vehicle within 200 feet of, where any fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.
(cf: P.L.1962, c.148, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires drivers in the right-hand lanes to yield to and make room for drivers in the other lanes upon the approach of emergency vehicles sounding sirens and displaying red lights.
When authorized emergency vehicles sounding sirens and displaying red lights approach, R.S.39:4-92 requires all motorists to immediately drive to the right-hand edge or curb of the highway, clear of an intersection, and stop and remain in that position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed.
Currently, there is no provision that requires drivers in outside lanes to accommodate drivers in inside lanes who are attempting to comply with the statute. In areas where there are two or more lanes of traffic flowing in the same direction, this bill requires the driver of a vehicle in the right-hand lane or the lane adjacent to the right-hand lane, if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions, to yield to or make room for drivers in the other lanes.