log inhelp

 | 

  • If you are citizen of an European Union member nation, you may not use this service unless you are at least 16 years old.

  • You already know Dokkio is an AI-powered assistant to organize & manage your digital files & messages. Very soon, Dokkio will support Outlook as well as One Drive. Check it out today!

View
 

Emergency Vehicle Right of Way Laws - New Jersey

Page history last edited by Robert Hackett 10 years, 3 months ago

Note: please note that this page should (a) link back to the issue overview on this topic, (b) be focused either the local, state, national, or global level, and (c) be neutrally presented, based on facts, and include footnotes for each of the items.  See the Research Guide and Information Sources to assist you. 

 

 

Scope of the Problem  factual statements on the extent of the problem in the past, current, or future

  • In the United States, a tremendous number of lives are lost due to ambulance delays. 
    • "Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA, or simply CA) is the most common critical emergency needing prompt intervention. It strikes more than 350,000 people a year in the U. S.  About 90% of those treated within two minutes survive; while only about 10% survive if treated after 6 minutes.[1]
  • In the United States, a tremendous number of lives are also lost due to roadside fatalities in the line of duty. 
    • More than 150 U.S. law enforcement officers have been killed since 1999 after being struck by vehicles along America's highways, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.[2]
    • According to Move Over America, everyday Construction workers, truck drivers and other public service workers improve our roads, fix our power lines, and aid in road side emergencies; sadly, some of these individuals never return home.[3]

 

 

Past Policy  key legislation and milestones including significant policy and funding shifts, major studies, etc.

  • New Jersey Statute 39:4-92.2: Move Over Law

    • Signed into law on January 27, 2009 by Governor Jon S. Corzine

    • This law is in place in an effort to eradicate roadside fatalities in the line of duty.

    • Requires drivers approaching stationary emergency vehicles, tow trucks and other highway safety vehicles displaying certain flashing lights to move over one lane or, if not safe to move over, then to slow down to a "reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions," below the posted speed limit.[4]

    • Failure to move over or slow down is punishable by a fine of $100 to $500; however, no points will be assessed for the offense.[5] 

  • A1217: Enhances penalties for failing to move over when approaching stationary emergency vehicle displaying emergency lights

    • Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee on January 10, 2012.

    • This bill was introduced in order to increase compliance to the Move Over Laws.

    • According to A1217, failure to abide by the Move Over Laws will be punishable by no less than three penalty points, in addition to the previously stated penalties.[6]

    •  Furthermore, the chief administrator shall develop and initiate a public education campaign to inform motorists of the provisions of this section and the penalties assessed for its violation.[7]

  • New Jersey Statute 39:4-91 Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicles

    • Signed into law.

    • The law is in place in an effort to enable Emergency vehicles to arrive at the emergency destination more quickly.
    • According to the statute, "the driver of a vehicle upon a highway shall yield the right of way to any authorized emergency vehicle when there is an audible signal and when the emergency vehicle, except a police vehicle, is equipped with at least one lighted lamp displaying a red light visible."[8]

    • Violation of Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicles is punishable by a minimum of 2 points,[9] and a fine of $85[10]

 

 

Current Policy  summary of current policies in the form of legislation, programs, and funding

  • New Jersey Statute 39:4-92.2: Move Over Law

  • New Jersey Statute 39:4-91 Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicles

 

 

Key Organizations/Individuals   contacts for public and private organizations and key individuals

  • Government
    • Fire department
    • Police Department
    • Ambulance Serices
  • Non-Profit - Advocacy/Membership/Network
    •  Move Over America: "First nationally coordinated effort to educate Americans about "Move Over" laws"[11]
  • Other
    • Private Ambulance Services

 

 

Bibliography   web sites, reports, articles, and other reference material 

 

Footnotes

  1. americandreamcoalition.org/safety/bowman.doc ▲
  2. moveoveramerica.com ▲
  3. http://www.nj.gov/oag/hts/move-over-law ▲
  4. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/PL09/5_.PDF ▲
  5. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/PL09/5_.PDF ▲
  6. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/A1500/1217_I1.PDF ▲
  7. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/A1500/1217_I1.PDF ▲
  8. http://www.njlaws.com/failure_to_yield_to_emergency_vehicles.htm ▲
  9. http://njlaws.com/traffic_minimum_penalties.htm ▲
  10. http://njtrafficfines.com/statute.php?statute_id=120 ▲
  11. moveoveramerica.com ▲

Comments (0)

You don't have permission to comment on this page.

Printable version