Wisniewski, Quigley Bill Package on MVC Taskforce Report Receives Final Legislative Approval

WISNIEWSKI/QUIGLEY BILL PACKAGE ON MVC TASKFORCE REPORT RECEIVES FINAL LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL

Bills Would Address Problems with NJ's Point System, Non-Driving Related Privilege Suspensions

(TRENTON) - The General Assembly today passed a portion of a legislative package Assembly members John S. Wisniewski, Joan M. Quigley, Vincent Prieto, and Joan Voss sponsored to correct problems with the state's driver-license point system and the schedule of fines and penalties associated with non-driving related offenses.

"Serious driving offenses need to be dealt with in a serious and strong fashion," said Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), chairman of the Assembly Transportation and Public Works Committee. "The challenge is to create a system of control that recognizes the economic imperative of people being able to drive to work or to conduct business.  We don't want people losing driving privileges over an unpaid parking ticket.  The challenge is to impose appropriate penalties for unsafe riving while ensuring penalties for non-driving related offenses are not onerous or overly punitive."

The package of bills stems from the Motor Vehicle Commission's (MVC) Affordability and Fairness Task Force Report issued in February 2006.

One bill (A-3523) would allow judges and the MVC greater flexibility when dealing with drivers who fail to appear in court or pay parking tickets by allowing them to suspend a motorist's license or registration.  The Assembly passed the bill by a 53 to 25 vote.

"The consequences associated with a license suspension are purposely hefty because license suspension was designed to be the harshest penalty a motorist could receive without facing jail time," said Quigley (D-Hudson).  "In light of the current trend of issuing license suspensions for something as simple as misplacing a portion of a vehicle's documentation, we need to re-examine how and why we penalize bad drivers and how those penalties should differ from penalties for things like illegal parking."

A second measure (A-3524) would change the name of the New Jersey Merit Rating Plan to the Motor Vehicle Violations and Accidents Surcharge System to more accurately reflect the program's current function.  It would allow drivers with suspended licenses because of unpaid surcharges to restore their driving privileges by paying at least five percent of each outstanding surcharge owed.  It also would allow the creation of installment payment plans of up to 36 months, an increase over the current 12-month plans.  The bill passed by a vote of 78 to 0.

A third bill (A-3526) would allow motorists on government assistance or living below the poverty line options for paying motor vehicle court fines and license/motor vehicle registration restoration fees.  The measure would allow up to half of the unpaid portion of any traffic fine - except those issued for dangerous or unsafe driving - to be waived or converted into a community service requirement.  It also would allow the remainder of the monetary fine to be paid on a payment plan schedule.  The Assembly passed the measure 78 to 0.

A final measure (A-3235) would require the MVC to establish a public awareness campaign to educate the public about the importance of reporting a change of residence to the commission.  The MVC uses address information to send notifications of identification renewal and suspension to drivers.  It passed 72 to 5.

"Combating the long-term financial penalties associated with current laws can be nearly impossible for working-class families that live on fixed incomes," said Quigley.  "Simply put, non-driving related motor vehicle offenses should not carry the same penalties as speeding or reckless driving."

"New Jersey motorists should not have to wonder if they will be able to afford to keep driving if they forget to feed the meter or leave their wallet at home," said Wisniewski.  "Giving the courts wider discretion in assessing penalties and payment schedules for non-moving violations will go a long way toward that goal."

The measures now head to the Governor, who may sign or veto them.

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