Hudson County pols sponsor bills aimed to promote vehicle safety awareness

JERSEY CITY -- A number of Hudson County legislators have sponsored two bills that, if passed, would help promote road safety and motor vehicle awareness.

The first bill, sponsored by 31st Legislative District Assemblyman Nicholas Chiaravalloti, would require the commissioner of the Department of Transportation to work to increase observance of the New Jersey Move Over Law through public awareness programs and electronic message road signs.

The law, passed in 2009, requires motorists to reduce their speed and change lanes when approaching authorized vehicles displaying emergency lights.

"Our state has an obligation to protect those who risk their lives out on the roadside, whether they're responding to a traffic accident or repairing the pavement," Chiaravalloti said. "Just like previous campaigns that reminded drivers to share the road with motorcyclists and to wear their seat belts, this campaign will help people remember to use caution while they're behind the wheel."

The bill was approved by the Assembly, 77-1, in June, and cleared the Senate on Friday. It was also sponsored by Assembly Democrats John Wisniewski, Nancy Pinkin, Joann Downey and Eric Houghtaling.

The second bill, backed by Angelica Jimenez and Raj Mukherji -- Assemblywoman for the 32nd Legislative District, and Assemblyman for the 33rd Legislative District, respectively -- aims to create a public awareness campaign on the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles.

The state Division of Highway Traffic Safety would be required to provide printed and electronic educational materials concerning child safety in and around motor vehicles and to disseminate the materials to licensed child care centers and public venues throughout the state.

"In the same way that New Jersey has had campaigns to create awareness about the importance of wearing a seatbelt and the danger of texting and driving, we need to ensure that parents recognize that leaving a child in a car for even a brief period of time can have devastating consequences," Mukherji said.

The bill would require the division to report the activities and accomplishments of the public awareness campaign to the governor and the legislature within two years of the bill's effective date.

Both bills will now go to Gov. Chris Christie's desk.