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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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”