Bill Text: NJ S1400 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Allows operators of motorcycles, motorized bicycles, and bicycles to proceed through malfunctioning steady red light under certain circumstances.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-02-01 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Transportation Committee [S1400 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-S1400-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JEFF VAN DREW
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Allows operators of motorcycles, motorized bicycles, and bicycles to proceed through malfunctioning steady red light under certain circumstances.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning motorcycles, motorized bicycles, bicycles, and malfunctioning traffic control signals and amending R.S.39:4-81.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. R.S.39:4-81 is amended to read as follows:
39:4-81. a. The driver of every vehicle, the motorman of every street car, and every pedestrian shall obey the instructions of any official traffic control device applicable thereto, placed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, unless otherwise directed by a traffic or police officer.
b. When, by reason of a power failure or other malfunction, a traffic control signal at an intersection is not illuminated, the driver of a vehicle or street car shall, with respect to that intersection, observe the requirement for a stop intersection, as provided in R.S.39:4-144.
c. Notwithstanding subsections a. and b. of this section, when an operator of a motorcycle, motorized bicycle, or bicycle approaches a traffic control signal that is displaying a malfunctioning steady red light, the operator may proceed through that intersection if the operator: (1) comes to a full and complete stop at the intersection for two complete cycles of the opposing traffic control signal or for two minutes, whichever is shorter; and (2) otherwise treats the traffic control signal as a stop intersection, as provided in R.S.39:4-144.
(cf: P.L.2004, c.92, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill allows an operator of a motorcycle, motorized bicycle, or bicycle to proceed through an intersection on a malfunctioning steady red light if the operator comes to a full and complete stop at the intersection for two complete cycles of the opposing traffic control signal or for two minutes, whichever is shorter, and otherwise treats the traffic control signal as a stop intersection, as provided by law.
