WISNIEWSKI, LAMPITT BILL TO ADD DRIVER DISTRACTIONS TO POLICE ACCIDENT REPORTS CLEARS COMMITTEE

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assembly members John S. Wisniewski and Pamela R. Lampitt sponsored to require police accident reports to include whether or not drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents were preoccupied by in-car distractions at the time of an accident was released by an Assembly committee today.

"A quick glance at directions, a newspaper, a family pet, or even the radio dial can mean the difference between a safe trip and a car accident," said Wisniewski (D-Middlesex).  "With distracted driving becoming the rule rather than the exception for motorists, details concerning driver distractions should be required information on all police accident reports."

The Wisniewski/Lampitt legislation (A-2134) would require the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to modify the traffic accident report form it supplies to police departments to include a space for officers to indicate whether a driver was distracted at the time of an accident and what type of distraction was involved.  The measure also would require the Commissioner of Transportation to annually compile information on driver distractions in motor vehicle accidents and make the report available to the public.

Under the bill, pagers, GPS mapping devices, car stereos (terrestrial and satellite), CD players, MP3 players, video players, CB and dispatch radios, fatigue, personal grooming, food and beverage consumption, reading, and unsecured pets all would be considered driver distractions.

"Drivers doing everything under the sun except watching the road are a menace to motorists everywhere," said Lampitt (D-Camden).  "Giving law enforcement officials the ability to take distractions into account when writing and adjudicating tickets will make motorists think twice the next time the reach for that eyeliner, bagel, or newspaper."

The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee released the measure by a vote of 4-0-2.  It now heads to the Speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.

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