N.J. Stat. tit. 27, ch. 5F

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-13.1 Medical aid

The life saving medical services provided by first aid, rescue or ambulance squad members and by licensed physicians and surgeons have proven to be vitally important to the health, safety, and welfare of injured persons in this State. A law enforcement officer shall permit any first aid, rescue or ambulance squad member, or any physician or surgeon licensed to practice medicine or surgery under chapter 9 of Title 45 of the Revised Statutes, to provide medical aid that the member, physician or surgeon considers appropriate to an injured person, unless in the judgment of the law enforcement officer in charge, considerations of the public health, safety and welfare are of overriding concern in a particular situation. Law enforcement officers shall recognize and implement the public policy set forth in this section. L. 1987, c. 122, s. 1.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-18 Short title

This act shall be known and may be cited as the "New Jersey Highway Traffic Safety Act of 1987." L. 1987, c. 284, s. 1.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-19 Findings, determinations

The Legislature hereby finds and determines that the toll of deaths and injuries resulting from highway accidents is a matter of State concern. Although the State and local governments presently are active in virtually all areas of highway safety, a formal mechanism should exist for the integration and coordination of existing safety efforts. The establishment of a Statewide highway traffic safety program under the guidance and direction of the Governor will provide this needed mechanism to coordinate State and local efforts in the struggle to reduce highway deaths and injuries. L. 1987, c. 284, s. 2.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-20 Definitions.

3. As used in this act: a. "State highway traffic safety program" means all highway traffic safety programs conducted by the State, political subdivisions of the State, and qualifying nonprofit organizations. b. "Local highway traffic safety program" means a highway traffic safety program established or submitted to the Governor by a political subdivision and qualifying nonprofit organizations pursuant to the provisions of this act. c. "Political subdivision" means any local political subdivision of this State, including but not limited to a municipality, a county, a township, a district, or a special district. d. "Governor" means the Governor of the State of New Jersey. e. "Director" shall mean the Director of the Office of Highway Traffic Safety of the State of New Jersey. f. "Volunteer first aid, rescue and ambulance squad" means a first aid, rescue and ambulance squad which provides emergency medical services without receiving payment for those services. g. "Nonvolunteer first aid, rescue and ambulance squad" means a first aid, rescue and ambulance squad which provides emergency medical services on a paid basis. h. "Nonprofit organization" means a nonprofit organization which provides services throughout the State and is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(3)), and is not a private foundation as defined in section 509(a) of the federal Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. s.509(a)). L.1987,c.284,s.3; amended 2007, c.84, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-21 Coordination by Governor.

4. a. The Governor shall coordinate the highway traffic safety activities of State and local agencies, other public and private agencies, nonprofit organizations, and interested organizations and individuals and shall be the official of this State having the ultimate responsibility of dealing with the federal government with respect to the State highway traffic safety program. In order to effectuate the purposes of this act he shall: (1) Prepare for this State, the New Jersey Highway Traffic Safety Program which shall consist of a comprehensive plan in conformity with the laws of this State to reduce traffic accidents and deaths, injuries, and property damage resulting therefrom. (2) Promulgate rules and regulations establishing standards and procedures relating to the content, coordination, submission, and approval of local highway traffic safety programs. (3) Contract and do all things necessary or convenient on behalf of the State in order to insure that all departments of State government, local political subdivisions and nonprofit organizations, to the extent that nonprofit organizations qualify for highway traffic safety grants pursuant to the provisions of section 12 of P.L.1987, c.284 (C.27:5F-29) as amended by section 6 of P.L.2007, c.84, secure the full benefits available under the "U.S. Highway Safety Act of 1966," Pub.L. 89-564 (23 U.S.C. ss. 401-404), and any acts amendatory or supplementary thereto. (4) Adopt training programs, guidelines and standards for members of nonvolunteer first aid, rescue and ambulance squads providing emergency medical service programs. b. The New Jersey Highway Traffic Safety Program, and rules and regulations, training programs, guidelines, and standards shall comply with uniform standards promulgated by the United States Secretary of Transportation in accordance with the "U.S. Highway Safety Act of 1966," Pub.L. 89-564 (23 U.S.C. ss. 401-404), and any acts amendatory or supplementary thereto. L.1987,c.284,s.4; amended 2007, c.84, s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-22 Training programs

The New Jersey Highway Traffic Safety Program shall, in addition to other provisions, include training programs for groups such as but not limited to police, teachers, students and public employees, which programs shall comply with the uniform standards promulgated by the United States Secretary of Transportation in accordance with the "U.S. Highway Safety Act of 1966," Pub.L. 89-564 (23 U.S.C. s.s. 401-404), and any acts amendatory or supplementary thereto. In addition, the New Jersey Highway Traffic Safety Program shall include the training program for members of volunteer first aid, rescue and ambulance squads, adopted by the New Jersey State First Aid Council, which shall comply with the uniform standards promulgated by the United States Secretary of Transportation in accordance with the "U.S. Highway Safety Act of 1966," Pub.L. 89-564 (23 U.S.C. s.s. 401-404) and any amendments or supplements to it. L. 1987, c. 284, s. 5.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-23 Qualification for federal funds.

6. A political subdivision or nonprofit organization shall qualify for receipt of federal funds upon application to the Governor, provided that: a. The political subdivision or nonprofit organization submits to the Governor a local highway traffic safety program in accordance with and meeting the standards established and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this act. b. The political subdivision or nonprofit organization submits to the Governor any other information as may be required to carry out the purposes of this act. L.1987,c.284,s.6; amended 2007, c.84, s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-24 Grants to Treasury Department.

7. The Department of the Treasury shall accept and receive any grants of money awarded to the State, its political subdivisions and nonprofit organizations under the "U.S. Highway Safety Act of 1966," Pub.L. 89-564 (23 U.S.C. ss. 401-404), and acts amendatory or supplementary thereto. All moneys so received shall be deposited by the Department of the Treasury and shall be used exclusively for establishing, administering and fulfilling highway traffic safety programs pursuant to the provisions of this act. The money shall be paid from the fund or funds upon audit and warrant of the Director, Division of Budget and Accounting, on vouchers of or certification by the Governor. L.1987,c.284,s.7; amended 2007, c.84, s.4.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-25 Portion to political subdivisions

At least 40% of the federal funds so received, or such lesser amount as may be authorized pursuant to federal law, shall be expended by or for the benefit of political subdivisions. L. 1987, c. 284, s. 8.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-26 Emergency medical service programs.

9. The Governor may also accept applications from political subdivisions and qualifying nonprofit organizations made on behalf of hospitals, volunteer and nonvolunteer first aid, rescue and ambulance squads, or other local entities serving a public purpose for grants of money to implement emergency medical service programs. A political subdivision or qualifying nonprofit organization shall submit all such applications to the Governor. L.1987,c.284,s.9; amended 2007, c.84, s.5.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-27 Certification

The officers of each volunteer and nonvolunteer first aid, rescue and ambulance squad providing emergency medical service programs shall be responsible for the training of its members and shall notify the governing body of the political subdivision in which the squad is located, or the person designated for this purpose by the governing body, that particular applicants for membership (qualified under sections 5 and 4 of this act respectively), ambulances, and ambulance equipment meet the standards required by this act. Upon receipt of such notification the governing body or person designated shall certify the applicant, ambulances, and ambulance equipment as being qualified for emergency medical service programs, and shall issue a certificate to that effect at no charge. Each member and piece of equipment of a volunteer and nonvolunteer first aid, rescue and ambulance squad shall comply with the requirements for certification annually. Any person who is a member of a volunteer and nonvolunteer first aid, rescue and ambulance squad providing emergency medical service programs on the effective date of this act shall, if application is made to the appropriate municipality within 90 days of the effective date, be certified by the governing body or designated person as being qualified for emergency medical service programs for a period of two years. At the end of that period, the person shall comply with the requirements for certification annually. L. 1987, c. 284, s. 10.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-27.1 Standardized stroke triage assessment tool.

3. a. No later than June 1 of each year, the Commissioner of Health shall adopt a nationally recognized standardized stroke triage assessment tool to be used by emergency medical services providers and protocols for the treatment and timely transport of acute stroke patients to the hospital with the most appropriate level of stroke care capability for the effective and efficient treatment of the patient's condition. No later than May 1 of each year, the Office of Emergency Medical Services in the Department of Health, in consultation with the Stroke Advisory Panel established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2019, c.476 (C.26:2H-12.28a), shall provide the commissioner with a non-binding list of recommendations to assist the commissioner in adopting a stroke triage assessment tool and protocols pursuant to this subsection. b. Each emergency medical services provider in the State shall implement the nationally-recognized standardized stroke triage assessment tool adopted pursuant to subsection a. of this section. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent an emergency medical services provider from adopting, or require an emergency medical services provider to adopt, additional stroke assessment protocols. c. Each emergency medical services provider in the State shall establish pre-hospital care protocols related to the assessment, treatment, and transport of stroke patients, which shall include, but not be limited to, plans for the triage and transport of acute stroke patients to the most appropriate primary, thrombectomy-capable, or comprehensive stroke center or, when appropriate, acute stroke ready hospital, which is capable of providing the most effective and efficient treatment within a specified timeframe following the onset of symptoms. d. Each emergency medical services provider in the State shall incorporate training on the assessment and treatment of stroke patients in its training requirements for emergency medical services personnel. e. As used in this section, "emergency medical services provider" means any association, organization, company, department, agency, service, program, unit, or other entity that provides pre-hospital emergency medical care to patients in this State, including, but not limited to, a basic life support ambulance service, a mobile intensive care program or mobile intensive care unit, an air medical service, or a volunteer or non-volunteer first aid, rescue and ambulance squad. L.2019, c.476, s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-27.2 Rules, regulations.

4. The Commissioner of Health shall, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement this act. L.2019, c.476, s.4.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-28 Allocation of federal funds

The federal funds apportioned and allocated to the State pursuant to the "U.S. Highway Safety Act of 1966," Pub.L. 89-564 (23 U.S.C. s.s. 401-404), or any other federal law, rule or regulation shall be utilized for such highway traffic safety purposes as the Governor shall deem appropriate. In the event that federal funds are apportioned and allocated to the State pursuant to the "U.S. Highway Safety Act of 1966," Pub.L. 89-564 (23 U.S.C. s.s. 401-404), on the basis of existing State and local highway safety traffic programs and activities, the Governor is authorized, in his discretion and subject to the approval of the appropriate federal agency with respect to the allocation and payment of the local share of such federal funds, to do whatever must be done to avail the State of the federal funds. L. 1987, c. 284, s. 11.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-29 Office of Highway Traffic Safety.

12. a. There is hereby created an Office of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety. b. The office shall be under the immediate supervision of a director who shall be qualified to direct the work of the office. The director shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Governor. c. The director shall: (1) Administer the work of the office under the direction and supervision of the Governor and the Attorney General; (2) Perform such functions, in addition to the work of the office, as the Governor may prescribe; (3) Organize and reorganize the office; (4) Assign and reassign personnel to employment within the office; (5) Perform or cause to be performed the work of the office in the manner and pursuant to a program as he may deem necessary and appropriate; (6) Employ as necessary the services of several departments and agencies, in a manner and to an extent as may be agreed upon by the chief executive officer of a department or agency and the Governor; (7) Assist the localities in the development and formulation of local highway traffic safety programs; (8) Receive and process applications from local agencies, State agencies, and nonprofit organizations for highway traffic safety project grants, provided that grants to qualifying nonprofit organizations shall be awarded only for programs approved by the director; the director shall adopt, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), criteria by which a nonprofit organization shall qualify for award of grants including, but not limited to, the requirement that a nonprofit organization be operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable or similar purposes in the public interest with a demonstrable record of conducting highway traffic programs and specifying the types of programs for which a nonprofit organization may be awarded a grant; and (9) Cause to be made a periodic review of local highway traffic safety programs, including training programs of first aid, rescue and ambulance squads, to insure they comply with the standards, guidelines, rules and regulations provided for by this act. L.1987,c.284,s.12; amended 2007, c.84, s.6.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-30 Ban on first aid squad restrictions

This act shall not be construed to grant to the Governor or any other State or local official any power to promulgate regulations which may restrict a volunteer and nonvolunteer first aid, rescue or ambulance squad of the State in the proper performance of its duties. The provisions of this section may not be waived notwithstanding any other language of this act. L. 1987, c. 284, s. 13.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-31 Advisory council

The Governor shall establish a Highway Traffic Safety Policy Advisory Council. The council shall consist of the following 21 members appointed by the Governor: The Director of the Office of Highway Traffic Safety, who shall serve as chairperson of the council; one representative of the Department of Education; one representative of the Department of Health; one representative of the Department of Transportation; one representative each of the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Division of State Police, and the Police Training Commission in the Department of Law and Public Safety; one representative of the Administrative Office of the Courts; two representatives of county or municipal law enforcement agencies; two representatives of county or local governments; two members of the Governor's Advisory Council on Emergency Medical Services; one representative of the New Jersey State First Aid Council; three private sector corporate representatives; and three members of the general public. The Highway Traffic Safety Policy Advisory Council shall make recommendations to the Governor to assist him in preparing the New Jersey Highway Traffic Safety Program and the rules and regulations and standards, guidelines and other programs provided for by this act. L. 1987, c. 284, s. 14.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-32 Governor's representative

The Director of the Office of Highway Traffic Safety is hereby appointed as the Governor's representative to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the United States Department of Transportation. L. 1987, c. 284, s. 15.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-33 Report to Legislature

On or before December 31st each year, the Governor shall submit a report to the Legislature. The report shall include a detailed presentation of the New Jersey Highway Traffic Safety Program, a statement concerning the progress made implementing the program, and recommendations concerning possible legislative action deemed necessary or desirable to implement the program. L. 1987, c. 284, s. 16.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-34 Entities abolished

Executive Orders No. 31 of 1951 and 39 of 1968 are hereby superseded. The "State Coordinating Council on Traffic and Safety" established pursuant to Executive Order No. 31 of 1951 and the "Interdepartmental Highway Safety Program Committee" established pursuant to Executive Order No. 39 of 1968 are hereby abolished and the terms of office of the members thereof are hereby terminated. The functions, powers and duties of the Office of Highway Safety Liaison in the Department of Transportation established pursuant to Executive Order No. 39 of 1968 are hereby transferred to the Office of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety established hereunder. L. 1987, c. 284, s. 17.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-35 Transfer of office

The Office of Highway Safety in the Division of Motor Vehicles in the Department of Law and Public Safety, together with its powers, functions, and duties, is transferred to the Office of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety. All references in any law, order, rule, regulation, contract, document, judicial or administrative, or otherwise, to the Office of Highway Safety in the Division of Motor Vehicles in the Department of Law and Public Safety or the manager thereof, shall mean the Office of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety or the director thereof. All transfers shall be made pursuant to the "State Agency Transfer Act," P.L. 1971, c. 375 (C. 52:14D-1 et seq.). L. 1987, c. 284, s. 18.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-36 Motorcycle safety education program.

1. a. The chief administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission shall establish a motorcycle safety education program. The program shall consist of a course of instruction and training designed to develop and instill the knowledge, attitudes, habits, and skills necessary for the safe operation and riding of a motorcycle and shall meet or exceed the standards and requirements of the rider's course developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. b. The motorcycle safety education course shall be open to any applicant for a New Jersey motorcycle license or endorsement and to any person who has been issued a New Jersey motorcycle license or endorsement. The course shall be scheduled for such times and places as the chief administrator shall determine are appropriate to enable interested applicants for and persons with motorcycle licenses and endorsements to participate. c. The chief administrator may assign employees of the Motor Vehicle Commission to serve as instructors for the course, or may contract with such other persons who are certified as motorcycle safety education instructors pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.452 (C.27:5F-37) to serve as instructors for the course. A person with a motorcycle safety education instructor endorsement to an instructor's license issued pursuant to section 5 of P.L.1951, c.216 (C.39:12-5) may also be selected by the chief administrator to serve as an instructor for the course. d. The chief administrator may impose a registration fee to be paid by the participants in the course. e. The motorcycle safety education course may also be provided by: (1) public and private educational institutions which are approved by the chief administrator to offer the course; (2) drivers' schools licensed pursuant to P.L.1951, c.216 (C.39:12-1 et seq.); (3) dealers engaged in the business of selling new motorcycles and licensed pursuant to R.S.39:10-19 and which are approved by the chief administrator to offer the course. A dealer approved to offer the motorcycle safety education course shall not restrict enrollment therein to persons who have purchased or agreed to purchase a motorcycle or other vehicle from that dealer, and shall not charge a higher fee for enrollment therein based upon whether a person has made or has agreed to make such a purchase; or (4) private entities which are approved by the chief administrator to offer the course. The motorcycle safety education course provided by a private entity shall meet or exceed the standards and requirements of the rider's course developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation including, but not limited to, course curriculum, motorcycle range, and motorcycle instructor certification. f. Upon and after the effective date of this act, the chief administrator may impose upon an entity seeking approval to provide the motorcycle safety education course in accordance with subsection e. of this section, a course certification fee for each location at which the entity intends to offer motorcycle range instruction. The chief administrator shall adopt regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) to fix the amount of the course certification fee. Moneys collected pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited in the Motorcycle Safety Education Fund, pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1991, c.452 (C.27:5F-39). g. The chief administrator may collect from each entity approved to provide the motorcycle safety education course pursuant to subsection e. of this section, a road test waiver fee for each student who has successfully completed the course and has qualified for a waiver of the road test portion of the examination required pursuant to section 6 of P.L.1991, c.452 (C.39:3-10.31) to obtain a motorcycle license or endorsement. The chief administrator shall adopt regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) to fix the amount of the road test waiver fee. Moneys collected pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited in the Motorcycle Safety Education Fund, pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1991, c.452 (C.27:5F-39). h. Notwithstanding subsection a. of this section, the chief administrator may enter into a contract with a public or private entity authorizing such entity to implement and administer the motorcycle safety education course established by the chief administrator pursuant to this section. The chief administrator may suspend or revoke an authorization to administer the motorcycle safety education course on any reasonable ground. L.1991, c.452, s.1; amended 2007, c.179; 2011, c.13, s.4.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-37 Instructors, certification.

2. To qualify for certification as an instructor of the motorcycle safety education course established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1991, c.452 (C.27:5F-36), a person shall: a. be the holder of a motorcycle operator's license or endorsement issued by any state; b. have at least two years of motorcycle riding experience; c. have no record of a suspension or revocation of his driver's license or motorcycle license or endorsement during the past two years; d. have no convictions for violating the provisions of R.S.39:4-50 during the past five years; e. have accumulated no more than four points assessed against his driver's license or motorcycle license or endorsement by the chief administrator for motor vehicle offenses during the past two years; f. be the holder of a current Motorcycle Safety Foundation certification as a motorcycle instructor; and g. meet such other requirements as the Director of the Office of Highway Traffic Safety may deem appropriate and necessary. Any person who meets the requirements set forth in this section may apply to the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission to be certified as a motorcycle safety education instructor. The application shall be in writing and contain such information as the chief administrator shall require. No certification fee shall be charged by the chief administrator. A certification so issued shall be valid during such period as the instructor meets the requirements of subsections a. through g. of this section. A person who holds a valid instructor's license issued pursuant to section 5 of P.L.1951, c.216 (C.39:12-5) may apply to the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission for a motorcycle safety education instructor endorsement as provided for in section 5 of P.L.1951, c.216 (C.39:12-5). L.1991, c.452, s.2; amended 2011, c.13, s.5.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-39 Motorcycle Safety Education Fund.

4. There is established a Motorcycle Safety Education Fund in the Motor Vehicle Commission. Such registration fees as may be imposed at the discretion of the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission upon participants in a motorcycle safety education course, $5.00 of the fee collected by the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission for each motorcycle license or endorsement issued under the provisions of R.S.39:3-10, and any other moneys which may become available for motorcycle safety education shall be deposited in the fund. The moneys in the fund shall be used exclusively by the Motor Vehicle Commission to defray the costs of the motorcycle safety education program established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1991, c.452 (C.27:5F-36). In addition, moneys in the fund may be used to provide for a full or part-time motorcycle safety education program coordinator. L.1991, c.452, s.4; amended 2011, c.13, s.6.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-40 Rules, regulations.

5. The Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission, pursuant to the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this act, including, but not limited to, the minimum level of knowledge, skill and ability required for the successful completion of the motorcycle safety education program established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1991, c.452 (C.27:5F-36). L.1991, c.452, s.5; amended 2011, c.13, s.8.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-41 Development of curriculum guidelines for the safe operation, maintenance of motor vehicles.

8. a. The Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety, after consultation with the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, shall develop curriculum guidelines for use by teachers of approved classroom driver education courses. The course of instruction for approved courses shall be no less than 30 hours in length and be designed to develop and instill the knowledge and attitudes necessary for the safe operation and driving of motor vehicles. Defensive driving; highway courtesy; dangers of driving a vehicle in an aggressive manner, which shall include, but not be limited to, unexpectedly altering the speed of a vehicle, making improper or erratic traffic lane changes, disregarding traffic control devices, failing to yield the right of way, and following another vehicle too closely; accident avoidance; understanding and respect for the State's motor vehicle laws; techniques for the safe operation and proper maintenance of a vehicle, which shall include, but not be limited to, safety tips to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning from motor vehicles; insurance fraud; operating a motor vehicle in a manner that safely shares the roadway with pedestrians, cyclists, skaters, riders of motorized-scooters, and other non-motorized vehicles, which shall include, but not be limited to, a driver's responsibilities when approaching and passing a pedestrian or person operating a bicycle or personal conveyance on the roadway pursuant to P.L.2021, c.194 (C.39:4-92.4) and the penalties for failing to comply with these responsibilities, recognizing bicycle lanes, navigating intersections with pedestrians and cyclists, and exiting a vehicle without endangering pedestrians and cyclists; and State requirements for and benefits of maintaining automobile insurance shall be emphasized. The incorporation of these curriculum guidelines in these classroom courses and the use of related instructional materials shall be a requirement for approval of the course by the chief administrator. b. The Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety, in consultation with the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, shall produce an informational brochure for parents and guardians of beginning drivers under the age of 18 years. The commission shall ensure that the parents or guardians of a permit holder receive these brochures at the time a permit is issued to a beginning driver. The brochures shall include, but not be limited to, the following information: (1) Setting an example for the beginning driver; (2) Accident and fatality statistics about beginning drivers; (3) Causes of accidents among beginning drivers; (4) The need to supervise vehicle operation by a beginning driver; (5) Methods to coach a beginning driver on how to reduce accidents; (6) A description of the graduated driver's license program; (7) Benefits of classroom and behind-the-wheel driver education under the direction of State certified or licensed driving instructors, as the case may be; (8) The dangers of driving a vehicle in an aggressive manner, which shall include, but not be limited to, unexpectedly altering the speed of a vehicle, making improper or erratic traffic lane changes, disregarding traffic control devices, failing to yield the right of way, and following another vehicle too closely; (9) The dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning from motor vehicles and techniques for the safe operation and proper maintenance of a vehicle, which shall include, but not be limited to, safety tips to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning from motor vehicles; (10) Maintaining an awareness of operating a motor vehicle in a manner that safely shares the roadway with pedestrians, cyclists, skaters, riders of motorized-scooters, and other non-motorized vehicles, which shall include, but not be limited to, a driver's responsibilities when approaching and passing a pedestrian or person operating a bicycle or personal conveyance on the roadway pursuant to P.L.2021, c.194 (C.39:4-92.4) and the penalties for failing to comply with these responsibilities, recognizing bicycle lanes, navigating intersections with pedestrians and cyclists, and exiting a vehicle without endangering pedestrians and cyclists; and (11) A sample practice driving log. L.1998, c.108, s.8; amended 2001, c.420, s.1; 2010, c.87, s.20; 2015, c.36, s.2; 2016, c.81, s.1; 2017, c.374, s.2; 2023, c.216, s.3; 2025, c.103, s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-42 "Graduated Driver License Fund."

9. a. There is created in the Department of Transportation a special non-lapsing fund to be known as the "Graduated Driver License Fund." There shall be deposited in the fund up to $5 from each special learner's permit fee and examination permit fee for a passenger automobile that is established pursuant to R.S.39:3-13 and any other monies that may be made available for graduated license program start-up costs. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission shall administer expenditures from this fund. b. Amounts necessary to reimburse the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission in, but not of, the Department of Transportation and the Office of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety for all costs reasonably and actually incurred in the initial implementation and continuing administration of this act shall be appropriated from the fund. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and the Office of Highway Traffic Safety shall certify to the State Treasurer their start-up costs to carry out their responsibilities under P.L.1998, c.108, and the program's costs annually thereafter. This amount shall be reimbursed to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and the Office of Highway Traffic Safety from the Graduated Driver License Fund. In the event the fund's balance is insufficient to fully reimburse these costs, the State Treasurer shall provide to the Graduated Driver License Fund a loan from the General Fund in the amount needed to fully defray these costs. This loan shall be repaid to the General Fund when the balance in the Graduated Driver License Fund exceeds the amount necessary to reimburse these costs. L.1998, c.108, s.9; amended 2010, c.87, s.21.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-43 Recommendations with respect to rules, regulations.

10. a. The Director of the Office of Highway Traffic Safety shall make recommendations to the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission with respect to rules and regulations promulgated under P.L.1998, c.108 including, but not limited to, the development of uniform curriculum guidelines for approved classroom and behind-the-wheel driver education. b. The course of instruction for behind-the-wheel driver education shall be designed to develop the skills necessary for the safe and lawful operation of a motor vehicle. Defensive driving, highway courtesy, appropriate driving behavior and attitudes, accident avoidance, safe passing and lane changing, and a general understanding of and respect for the State's motor vehicle laws shall be emphasized. L.1998, c.108, s.10; amended 2001, c.420, s.2; 2010, c.87, s.22.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-44 "New Jersey Target Zero Commission" established.

1. a. There is established in, but not of, the Department of Transportation, the "New Jersey Target Zero Commission." b. The commission shall consist of 13 members, as follows: (1) the Commissioner of Transportation, ex officio, or the commissioner's designee; (2) the Superintendent of State Police, ex officio, or the superintendent's designee; (3) the Commissioner of Health, ex officio, or the commissioner's designee; (4) the Commissioner of Community Affairs, ex officio, or the commissioner's designee; (5) the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, ex officio, or the chief administrator's designee; (6) the Commissioner of Human Services, ex officio, or the commissioner's designee; (7) the Director of Highway Traffic Safety, ex officio, or the director's designee; (8) the Director of the Office of Environmental Justice in the Department of Environmental Protection, ex officio, or the director's designee; (9) the Executive Director of the New Jersey Transit Corporation, ex officio, or the executive director's designee; (10) the Executive Director of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, ex officio, or the executive director's designee; (11) the Executive Director of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, ex officio, or the executive director's designee; (12) the Executive Director of the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, ex officio, or the executive director's designee; and (13) the Executive Director of the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization, ex officio, or the executive director's designee. c. The commission shall hold its initial meeting as soon as practicable, but no later than 60 days after the effective date of P.L.2024, c.109 (C.27:5F-44 et seq.). The chairperson of the commission shall be the Commissioner of Transportation, and the commission shall meet no less than twice per year at such places and times as the chairperson may designate. The commission shall hold a minimum of two annual public hearings. The chairperson may appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the commission. d. The commission shall meet with key stakeholders, advocates, and experts and shall consult with policy experts including, but not limited to, policy experts in the fields of bicycle and pedestrian safety, mobility, visual or cognitive impairments, and motor vehicle crashes for expertise and input. e. The Department of Transportation shall provide professional, stenographic, and clerical staff to the commission as may be necessary for the commission to carry out its duties. The commission shall also be entitled to call upon the services of any State, county, or municipal department, board, commission, or agency as may be available to it for its purposes. L.2024, c.109, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 27:5F-45 Definitions.

2. a. For the purposes of this section: "Active transportation" means pedestrian mobility, such as walking and running, individual use of personal conveyances for mobility powered by human effort or electric motors, and personal conveyances that consider and address accommodations pursuant to the "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990" (42 U.S.C. s.12101 et seq.). "Bicycle" means the same as the term is defined in section 2 of P.L.1975, c.328 (C.39:4-14.5). "Pedestrian" shall include, but not be limited to: a pedestrian as defined in R.S.39:1-1; a person in a wheelchair or motorized wheelchair as defined in R.S.39:1-1; and a person employed by or who contracts with any public utility company in this State, a property maintenance worker, or any other person who is permitted by law to be upon the roadway and outside a motor vehicle for work or recreation and is upon a roadway and outside a motor vehicle for work or recreation. "Personal conveyance" shall include: (1) a bicycle as defined in this section; (2) a low-speed electric bicycle as defined in R.S.39:1-1; (3) a low-speed electric scooter as defined in R.S.39:1-1; (4) a manual wheelchair; (5) a motorized wheelchair as defined in R.S.39:1-1 or similar mobility assisting devices used by persons with physical disabilities or by persons whose ambulatory mobility has been impaired by age or illness; (6) an electric personal assistive mobility device as defined in section 1 of P.L.2001, c.430 (C.39:4-14.10); (7) a motorized scooter as defined in R.S.39:1-1; (8) a skateboard; (9) a motorized skateboard as defined in R.S.39:1-1; (10) roller skates as defined in section 1 of P.L.1997, c.411 (C.39:4-10.5); and (11) any other means used by a person for transportation. "Safe system approach" means evaluating traffic safety and designing a transportation system with the goal of eliminating fatal and serious injuries for all road users by acknowledging that: traffic deaths and serious injuries are unacceptable, humans make mistakes, humans are vulnerable, responsibility is shared, safety is proactive, and redundancy is crucial. "Target zero strategies" means actionable strategies using the safe system approach and include, but are not limited to: (1) prioritizing roadway design and design of sidewalks; crosswalks; roadway shoulders; personal conveyance parking; access to public transit, schools, and parks; and intersections and corridors with paths, trails, and multiuse greenways; (2) focusing on speed management; (3) ensuring enforcement is equitable; and (4) utilizing impactful education strategies and inclusive community engagement. "Traffic control signal" means a device, whether manually, electrically, mechanically, or otherwise controlled, by which traffic is alternatively directed to stop and to proceed, and which has been approved by the Commissioner of Transportation in accordance with the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways." "Traffic control signal monitoring system" means an integrated system or device utilizing a camera, or a multiple-camera system, and vehicle sensors, which work in conjunction with a traffic control signal, and is capable of producing: (1) high resolution color digital recorded images that show: (a) the traffic control signal while it is displaying a red light; (b) a motor vehicle unlawfully entering and continuing through the intersection while the traffic control signal is displaying a red light; and (c) a portion of the rear of the motor vehicle unlawfully in the intersection sufficient to clearly reveal the vehicle's license plate and the make and model of the vehicle; and (2) a video recording of the violation that shows the violation occurring. b. The purpose and duties of the commission shall be to study, examine, and review all aspects of traffic safety with a particular focus on access, equity, and mobility for all road users using the safe system approach and to advise the Governor, the Legislature, and the Department of Transportation regarding policies, programs, research, and priorities to help achieve the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries. To fulfill this purpose and these duties, the commission shall: (1) review any relevant, existing safety plans brought to the commission by its members, identify ways to advance target zero strategies, and develop a comprehensive and coordinated action plan to help achieve the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roadways in the State by 2040 through engineering, education, and enforcement systems that analyze physical transportation designs with a focus on the equitable treatment of all transportation users; provided that the action plan shall not include implementation of traffic control signal monitoring system technology to determine whether a traffic control signal violation occurred and to issue a summons or assess any penalties for such violation; (2) identify short-term and long-term data-driven strategies with measurable goals and target dates to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries with the goal of eliminating all traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2040; provided that the strategies shall not include implementation of traffic control signal monitoring system technology to determine whether a traffic control signal violation occurred and to issue a summons or assess any penalties for such violation; (3) develop and adopt the action plan pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, which action plan shall include implementation of the strategies identified pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection no later than the first day of the 12th month following the effective date of P.L.2024, c.109 (C.27:5F-44 et seq.), except that before adopting the action plan, the commission shall host a public hearing to receive public feedback concerning the proposed action plan, which proposed action plan shall be published on the commission's Internet website no less than 72 hours before the public hearing; (4) promote effective and transparent collection of traffic safety data and dissemination of such data via a publicly accessible data portal that includes, but is not limited to, the most dangerous intersections in the State, traffic crash data with information on non-fatal injuries and demographic data, and a high-injury network that indicates the roadways, in the State, with the highest injury rates; (5) encourage the elimination of road hazards by advancing active transportation and mass transit as safe and viable forms of transportation throughout the State for persons of all ages and abilities; (6) provide recommendations for changes to State, county, and municipal law to achieve the goal of eliminating all traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2040; provided that the recommendations shall not include implementation of traffic control signal monitoring system technology to determine whether a traffic control signal violation occurred and to issue a summons or assess any penalties for such violation; (7) review any relevant, existing safety plans brought to the commission by its members and develop the action plan to implement and promote the safe system approach, target zero strategies, and evidenced-based safety countermeasures to help achieve the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries among all road users by 2040; provided that the action plan shall not include implementation of traffic control signal monitoring system technology to determine whether a traffic control signal violation occurred and to issue a summons or assess any penalties for such violation; (8) create and maintain an interactive Internet website to provide information about the commission, including: the membership of the commission; the commission's plans, progress reports, meeting notices, agendas, and minutes; educational materials about target zero; a link to the safety portal required pursuant to paragraph (4) of this subsection; and any other information the commission deems necessary; (9) serve as an advisor to the Department of Transportation and other State agencies and transportation authorities with regard to roadway planning and transportation infrastructure planning; (10) provide advice and assistance to county and municipal governments regarding the data resources available to them to develop their own target zero plans; and (11) report annually to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature on the findings and activities of the commission, including the number of road traffic fatalities and serious injuries and the review of the implementation of the action plans. The commission shall submit the report before the third Sunday in November of each year, which is World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. L.2024, c.109, s.2.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026