Transportation (Traffic Safety)

This bill requires New Jersey's state-managed limited access highways to have posted speed limits based on the speed at which 85% of vehicles travel, as determined through traffic engineering studies. It mandates that the Commissioner of Transportation set speed limits using this 85th percentile standard rather than default limits, applying only to highways designated as "eligible limited access highways" under state jurisdiction. The law repeals prior provisions (P.L.1997, c.415) and specifies that speed limits must be set through documented engineering analysis, including speed surveys. This directly affects state highway authorities and drivers on these specific highways, replacing fixed speed limits with data-driven standards.

This bill amends New Jersey's school bus stop laws to authorize the use of school bus monitoring systems for enforcement. It directly affects drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses (including those transporting children or individuals with developmental disabilities) and school districts/municipalities that install such systems. Key provisions establish that violations captured by these systems result in a $250 civil penalty (instead of criminal penalties), with collected funds directed to municipal and school safety programs. The bill also clarifies that registered vehicle owners are presumed responsible for violations recorded by the systems.

This bill creates a new motor vehicle offense called "engaging in a pattern of aggressive driving" for drivers who commit specific dangerous behaviors in a single continuous drive. It directly affects drivers who, within five miles, perform two different aggressive driving acts (like speeding 25+ mph over the limit, tailgating, erratic lane changes, or unsafe passing) or three of the same act. Penalties include license suspension (15-30 days for first offense, 60-90 days or fines up to $3,000 for repeat offenses or those causing injury/death) or mandatory education classes, with prosecutors barred from offering plea deals to lesser charges. The bill also requires the Motor Vehicle Commission to run public awareness campaigns and report annual enforcement data on this offense.