MADDEN-VAN DREW BILL TO IMPROVE SAFETY AT STOP INTERSECTIONS MOVES THROUGH SENATE
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Fred Madden and Jeff Van Drew which would require all vehicles to come to a complete stop at a stop sign before proceeding through the intersection was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 33-5.
” We need to make sure everyone is following the same rules of the road,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. “Allowing a full line of cars to move through a stop sign rather than having them each stop before entering the intersection is dangerous, especially since most drivers don’t realize that this is something that other cars can do legally.”
The bill, S-1244, would amend current law, repealing a provision that allows drivers to proceed through a stop intersection without stopping at the sign if they were in line with another vehicle which had already come to a complete stop. According to State statistics, last year in New Jersey, the Department of Transportation reported 758 traffic deaths and 156 pedestrian deaths — a figure that could be reduced if drivers faithfully observed stop signals.
“I think most New Jersey drivers assume that when they reach a stop sign, they must come to a stop,” said Senator Van Drew, D-Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland. “Under current statute, however, that’s only the case most of the time. Through this bill, we’re clarifying the law and ensuring that drivers exert proper precaution at intersections, stopping every time then see a stop sign.”
The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature.