Bill Text: NJ SR121 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges restaurants to include warnings against use of mobile ordering features while driving.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-05-11 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee [SR121 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-SR121-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator LINDA R. GREENSTEIN
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Urges restaurants to include warnings against use of mobile ordering features while driving.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution urging restaurants that accept mobile ordering to include features warning against use while driving.
Whereas, Many restaurants allow consumers to place an order for food or drink online, with consumers often placing such orders using a cell phone; and
Whereas, Mobile ordering from restaurants has become frequent among cell phone users; and
Whereas, Many consumers place a mobile order with a restaurant while operating a motor vehicle, contributing to the danger of distracted driving; and
Whereas, Distracted driving is among the five leading causes of motor vehicle fatalities in the United States; and
Whereas, According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), using a cell phone while driving creates enormous potential for death and injury on roadways within the United States; and
Whereas, The NHTSA indicates that 3,142 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents involving distracted driving in 2020, including such distractions as using a cell phone, eating, or adjusting the radio or climate controls; and
Whereas, A recent observational study from Rowan University reported that 20 to 25 percent of drivers on certain New Jersey roads were distracted, most commonly by cell phone use; and
Whereas, Driver inattention contributed to 42 of 80 interstate highway fatalities in this State during 2021; and
Whereas, New Jersey law prohibits the use of a handheld electronic device, including a cell phone, while operating a moving motor vehicle, except in certain limited situations; and
Whereas, Community activism can raise awareness of the dangers associated with distracted driving and encourage New Jersey residents and businesses to take protective measures against these dangers; and
Whereas, Private businesses can implement safety measures to decrease the likelihood of consumer cell phone use while operating a motor vehicle; and
Whereas, Safety features, such as pop-up warnings against placing a mobile order while driving, are available for restaurants to incorporate into the process of placing a mobile order; and
Whereas, Urging the use of safety features to warn against mobile ordering while operating a motor vehicle is one step this House can take to encourage safe driving habits in this State; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Senate of the State of New Jersey urges restaurants located in New Jersey that accept mobile ordering to implement safety features, such as pop-up warnings, cautioning consumers against placing a mobile order while operating a motor vehicle.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association.
STATEMENT
This Senate resolution urges restaurants located in New Jersey that accept mobile ordering to implement safety features, such as pop-up warnings, to caution consumers against placing a mobile order while driving. Distracted driving is among the five leading causes of motor vehicle fatalities in the United States, resulting in 42 deaths on New Jersey interstate highways during 2021. The most common distraction for drivers is cell phone use, which may include placing a mobile order with a restaurant while driving.
Community activism can raise awareness of the dangers associated with distracted driving and encourage residents and businesses in this State to take protective measures. Implementing safety features that warn against placing a mobile order while driving is one of the ways in which private businesses can decrease the likelihood of consumers using cell phones while driving.
Copies of this resolution are to be transmitted to the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association.
