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Codey Calls For Action On Bill That Would Increase Penalties For Using Cell Phone While Driving

News & Releases Richard J. Codey

TRENTON –Senator Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) today called for action on legislation he has sponsored that would increase penalties for using a cell phone while driving. Codey’s call for action comes a week after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called for a nationwide ban on the use of cell phones and text messaging devices while driving. It is the most stringent recommendation yet made by the NTSB on this issue.

“In light of the NTSB’s recent announcement, it would only make sense that we move to get this legislation passed and signed into law,” said Codey. “There is now no question that texting and the use of handheld cell phones while driving are more dangerous than being intoxicated while behind the wheel. We had an all out, full fledged crusade to stop drunk driving, and rightfully so. But now it is time we put the same kind of effort into stopping texting and using a handheld cell phone while driving.”

The bill, S-2181, would put in place a graduated penalty structure for repeat offenders who violate the state’s hands-free cell phone law more than once in a ten-year period – a motor vehicle violation that, under current law, carries a $100 fine for first and subsequent offenses. Under the bill as amended, first-time offenders would have to pay a fine of $200. Drivers convicted of a second offense within 10 years of the first would have to pay a fine of $400, and drivers convicted of a third and subsequent offenses within 10 years of the first would have to pay a fine of $600 and face driver’s license suspension of up to 90 days.

A report by Car and Driver Magazine has shown how long it takes to hit the brake when sober (.54 seconds), drunk (add four feet), reading an e-mail (add 36 feet) and sending a text message (add 70 feet). A study by the Transport Research Laboratory showed that reaction times were 35% worse for drivers sending a text message, as opposed to 12% worse for those at the legal limit of intoxication and 21% worse for those under the influence of cannabis. A study prepared by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that text messaging took drivers’ focus away for 4.6 seconds, and a Clemson University simulator study found that text messaging and using an iPod caused drivers to leave their lanes ten percent more often.

In addition, a study recently released by the American Journal of Public Health noted that, if not for texting while driving, the number of deaths caused by distracted driving would have dropped every year from 2002 to 2007, from 4,611 deaths nationwide in 2001 to 1,925 in 2007. Instead, the study found a 19 percent increase in auto fatalities for every 1 million additional cell phone subscribers, and an increase to 5,870 deaths caused in 2008 due to distracted driving.

“I hope that the Assembly can move on this bill before the current Legislative session is over and that Governor Christie will sign it as soon as it lands on his desk. It has been a year since it passed in the Senate and any further delay will only cause more risk for people on the road,” said Codey.

S-2181 passed the Senate on December 20, 2010 by a vote of 30-7. It is currently before the Assembly Budget Committee.

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Codey Pushes For Tougher Penalties For Repeat Violations Of State’s Hands-Free Cell Phone Law

TRENTON – Senator Richard J. Codey today unveiled legislation which would make New Jersey’s texting-while-driving law the toughest in the nation and upgrade the penalty structure for repeat offenders in order to make New Jersey’s roadways safer for law-abiding citizens.

“We continue to see drivers swerving in and out of their lane as they tap away on their mobile devices,” said Senator Codey, D-Essex, who sponsored the law making the use of a mobile phone without a hands-free device while driving a primary offense. “Even though most New Jersey drivers are familiar with the State’s hands-free cell phone law, there are still some who simply choose to ignore the law and basic common sense, and continue to endanger everyone else on the road. This bill puts teeth in our hands-free law by creating tough penalties as a deterrent for repeat offenders.”

15 Jul 2010
Codey-Girgenti Tougher Penalties For Hands-Free Cell Phone Violations Approved In Committee

TRENTON – Noting that many traffic safety advocates recognize driving while intoxicated to be less lethal than driving while texting, Senators Richard Codey and John Girgenti have advanced legislation which would make New Jersey’s texting-while-driving law the toughest in the nation and upgrade the penalty structure for repeat offenders in order to make New Jersey’s roadways safer for law-abiding citizens. The bill was approved by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee today by a vote of 4-1.

“Despite public outreach, despite the dangers, despite police crack-downs, we still see drivers on our roads ignoring common sense and violating the State’s hands-free cell phone law,” said Senator Codey, D-Essex, who sponsored the law making the use of a mobile phone without a hands-free device while driving a primary offense. “Distracted drivers pose a serious risk to themselves and to others on our roadways, even more than drivers who get behind the wheel drunk. It’s time that we get serious about our State’s hands-free cell phone law, and the drivers who endanger themselves and others by ignoring that law.”

13 Sep 2010
Codey Tougher Penalties For Hands-Free Cell Phone Violations Advance In Budget Panel

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Richard J. Codey to address the epidemic of hands-free violations by drivers engaging in dangerous, and potentially lethal, distractions while behind the wheel was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today by a vote of 7-4, with one abstention.

“Study after study has shown that texting while driving is more dangerous than getting behind the wheel drunk,” said Senator Codey, D-Essex, who sponsored the law making the use of a mobile phone without a hands-free device while driving a primary offense. “While New Jersey has penalties on the books which appropriately reflect the dangers of drunk driving, we provide only a slap on the wrist for drivers who endanger themselves and others by violating the State’s hands-free cell phone law. It’s time that we recognize the realities of this dangerous activity and penalize it accordingly.”

15 Nov 2010
Codey Bill For Tougher Penalties For Hands-Free Cell Phone Violations Clears Full Senate

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) to address the epidemic of hands-free violations by drivers engaging in dangerous, and potentially lethal, distractions while behind the wheel was approved today by the full Senate.

“By taking action on this legislation, we would give New Jersey the toughest hands-free cell phone law violations in the nation,” said Senator Codey. “We need laws that provide real deterrents to this dangerous driving activity. This legislation will do that.”

20 Dec 2010
Codey-Girgenti Bill For Tougher Penalties For Hands-Free Cell Phone Violations Advances In Assembly

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Richard J. Codey and John A. Girgenti to address the epidemic of hands-free violations by drivers engaging in dangerous, and potentially lethal, distractions while behind the wheel was unanimously approved by the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee today.

“This bill would put serious teeth in New Jersey’s hands-free cell phone law, and would make our efforts to combat distractions while driving the toughest in the nation,” said Senator Codey, D-Essex. “We cannot sit idly by while drivers put themselves and others at risk by engaging in dangerous behavior behind the wheel. This bill sends the message – hang up and drive, or face the consequences.”

07 Mar 2011