Rooney praises Assembly for advancing bill to improve “Move Over” law compliance

TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney, co-sponsor of A3890, said the Assembly took an important step yesterday to protect emergency responders on New Jersey’s busy roads.

The bill imposes two motor vehicle points for drivers who violate the state’s move over law three times in a year and requires the Motor Vehicle Commission to establish a public awareness campaign.

“Our first responders need our help to keep them safe as they do their jobs,” said Rooney (R-Bergen). “We need to improve our decade-old law because far too many police, firefighters and even tow truck drivers are being hurt on our highways. There needs to be more awareness of the law itself as well as the consequences for motorists who continue to endanger themselves and others.”

Fifty-two of the over 1,300 law enforcement deaths since 2010 are from officers being struck and killed on side of the road.

Under the move-over law, drivers must reduce their speed and change lanes when approaching an emergency vehicle, tow truck, or DOT vehicle with activated emergency lights. Violators are currently subject to a fine between $100 and $500. More than nine tickets a day, on average, are issued in New Jersey for violations.

The Senate version of the bill has been referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

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