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TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Richard J. Codey (D – Essex, Morris) and Fred H. Madden (D – Gloucester, Camden) that would address the epidemic of hands-free violations by drivers engaging in dangerous distractions while behind the wheel gained final approval by the state Senate yesterday.

“Several studies have shown that distracted drivers pose a very serious risk to themselves and other motorists on the road – often at a level that is just as dangerous, if not more dangerous than drunk driving,” said Codey. “New Jersey cannot ignore the serious and often fatal consequences of texting while driving. We need laws on the books that will act as a real deterrent to this risky behavior, and hopefully make people think twice before they reach for their cell phone while driving.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Richard J. Codey (D – Essex, Morris) and Fred Madden (D – Gloucester, Camden) that would address the epidemic of hands-free violations by drivers engaging in dangerous, and potentially lethal, distractions while behind the wheel today cleared the full Senate. Passage comes shortly after the release of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study that showed approximately 58 percent of high school seniors nationwide said they had texted or emailed while driving during the previous month.

“New Jersey has appropriately tough laws on the books regarding drinking while driving. But penalties for texting while driving are a mere slap on the wrist, so now it is time for a slap in the face,” said Codey. “Considering that studies have shown that texting behind the wheel is just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than getting behind the wheel drunk, an update of our hands-free cell phone law is long overdue. I hope that those groups that have traditionally advocated against drunk driving will also come out in force for this bill.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Richard J. Codey (D – Essex, Morris) and Fred Madden (D – Gloucester, Camden) that would address the epidemic of hands-free violations by drivers engaging in dangerous, and potentially lethal, distractions while behind the wheel today cleared the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.

“New Jersey has appropriately tough laws on the books regarding drinking while driving. But penalties for texting while driving are a mere slap on the wrist, so now it is time for a slap in the face,” said Codey. “Considering that studies have shown that texting behind the wheel is just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than getting behind the wheel drunk, an update of our hands-free cell phone law is long overdue. I hope that those groups that have traditionally advocated against drunk driving will also come out in force for this bill.”