Advocates for protecting non-motorist road users today celebrated the signing of the NJ SAFE PASSING BILL by Gov. Phil Murphy.
New Jersey to join 42 other states with safe passing laws designed to end the near misses, injuries and fatalities of the most vulnerable road users.
TRENTON, NJ, Aug. 5, 2021––Governor Phil Murphy today signed the NJ Safe Passing Law (S2208/A5570), a milestone more than ten years in the making, that was cheered by safety advocates and friends and family of dangerous passing victims. The bipartisan bill, sponsored and cosponsored by 16 Senators and Assembly Members, was approved 102-1 by the Legislature.
The NJ Safe Passing Bill provides all motorists with clear, enforceable guidelines about when and how to pass the most vulnerable on NJ roads by; moving over a lane if available and safe to do so, if not, passing no less than four feet from walkers, wheelers and bicyclists, if neither option is safe, reduce speed to 25mph or lower than the posted speed. Passage of the bill caps over a decade of education and advocacy led by the New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition (NJBWC), Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, Families for Safe Streets and the grassroots TEAM4 the NJ Safe Passing Law.
“The NJ Safe Passing Law comes at a critical time for making our roads safer for everyone especially vulnerable road users,” said Jim Hunt, Safe Passing Law Campaign Leader for the New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition. “Spurred by the pandemic we have seen an increase in people walking, biking and rolling to get to work, to school, or to parks or take their health and fitness routines literally on the road. At the same time, we are faced with the surge of car and truck traffic on our roads. This has resulted tragically in an increase in serious injuries and deaths in the State.”
According to NJ State Police records, bicycle rider fatalities so far in 2021 already match last year’s total. Pedestrian fatalities now almost match 2020 and are on a pace that could lead to a 60% increase in 2021.
“This life saving law provides comprehensive guidance on safe passing for all road users making it one of the most inclusive laws in the country,” said Janna Chernetz, Deputy Director for Tri-State Transportation Campaign. “It’s a simple law that protects our friends and loved ones, ensuring the ability to continue to share and celebrate life’s milestones. Tri-State thanks the bill sponsors and Governor Murphy for making this law a reality.”
“Many of our organization’s members, including myself, commute by bicycle between Pennsylvania and New Jersey,” said John Boyle, Research Director, Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. “We are happy to see that bicyclists now will now have the same 4-foot safe passing protection under the law in both states. New Jersey’s legislation goes even further by providing the same protections to other vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and e-scooter users.”
Among those who have lost their lives to dangerous passing was Oscar Zanoni, a well-liked Metuchen resident who died in a crash while riding his primary form of transportation, his bike.
“It is truly amazing that Oscar has a legacy that will ensure that lives are saved & injuries are prevented on our NJ roadways now and for future generations,“ said Oscar’s life partner, Wendy Kukowski, who became a leading voice for the NJ Safe Passing bill on behalf of Families for Safe Streets NJ. “He will be forever missed and now forever remembered.”
“We believe this law can begin the change needed to eliminate deaths like Oscar’s as well as too many dangerous injuries on our roads,” said Debra Kagan, New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition Executive Director. “We want to thank the Governor and legislators for passing this ground breaking law, and the many advocates and volunteers who worked so hard for so many years to make this possible. This essential step establishes New Jersey as a leader in creating safe passing guidelines that will protect millions of vulnerable road users, pedestrians, bicyclists, and others, saving lives.”
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