Pending legislation in New Jersey indicates that the state may soon put more rules to protect pedestrians into place. A measure to allow towns greater leeway to install traffic calming devices was signed into law in July (MTR # 469). Other important safety bills moving through the legislature include:

• A. 2605, a law increasing the fine for violating crosswalk right-of-way and dedicating the proceeds to a pedestrian safety fund, passed the Assembly on November 15. A companion bill has been introduced in the Senate and awaits action by the Transportation Committee.

• Another crosswalk-related bill, A. 619, was passed in the Assembly in March. It requires motorists to stop for pedestrians in or waiting to enter crosswalks. S. 860, the companion bill to A. 619, has also been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee where it awaits a hearing.

• A third bill, S. 251, is awaiting a vote in the Assembly before it can move to the governor’s desk. It would require the DOT to ban right-on-red turns at the 100 most dangerous intersections. It was passed by the Senate in February, and later by the Assembly Transportation Committee. A floor Assembly floor vote could come early in 2005.

• A.3441 would support those who commuter to work by bike, providing 10 cents per mile in gross income tax deduction. To get the deduction, a bike commuter would track miles biked, and submit the data to her employer. The bill was introduced in October and now sits in front of the Assembly Transportation Committee.

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