Pedestrian Safety Targeted by Package of Bills

Two Assemblymen have introduced a three-bill package to boost pedestrian safety throughout the state.

Assemblymen Troy Singleton and Herb Conaway, both Democrats, are from Burlington County, where the ever-dangerous Route 130 is located. It has recently ranked several times as the deadliest road in the state.

The first bill would impose a $1,000 fine for certain existing motor vehicle violations that result in serious bodily injury or death to certain people, including pedestrians, bike riders, wheel chair operators and construction or roadway improvement workers. The person convicted would also be subject to imprisonment and a license suspension.

Under the second bill, any fines for violations concerning pedestrians would increase from $150 to $250.

A portion or all of the fines paid for the bills above would be deposited into the "Pedestrian Safety Enforcement and Education Fund."

The third bill would require that 10 percent of all fines, penalties and forfeitures imposed and collected for motor vehicle violations be forwarded to the "State Safe Routes to School Fund."

"Whether it's Burlington or Bergen County, there's no denying that we live in the most densely populated state in the country," said Assemblyman Conaway. "This presents a dilemma when it comes to balancing the desire to accommodate motorists with the need to protect pedestrians, particularly school children."

"These bills will help raise awareness and boost education on pedestrian safety while funding improvements to make our highways more pedestrian-friendly," added Assemblyman Singleton.