New Safe Passing Law In Effect March 1, 2022

The Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey enacted a safe driving law regarding the passing of bicycles, low-speed vehicles, and pedestrians in August of 2021. The law comes into effect on March 1, 2022.

“An Act concerning motor vehicles overtaking certain pedestrians, bicyclists, and scooter riders and supplementing Title 39 of the Revised Statutes.

Here's what you need to know.

"The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a pedestrian, bicycle, low-speed electric bicycle, low-speed electric scooter...on the roadways of this State shall approach with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a law enforcement officer, proceed as follows:

(1) when possible under existing safety and traffic conditions, make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the pedestrian or personal conveyance;

(2) if a lane change cannot be made..., leave a reasonable and safe distance of not less than four feet while approaching the pedestrian...and maintain a distance of at least four feet until the motor vehicle has safely passed...

(3) if it is not possible, prohibited by law, or unsafe to make a lane change...the motor vehicle operator shall reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to 25 miles per hour or a lower posted speed and be prepared to stop; the operator may pass the pedestrian...only if...traffic conditions, weather, visibility, and the surface and width of the roadway, passing does not endanger the safety of a pedestrian, operator of the personal conveyance, or any other person on the roadway.

c. A person who commits a violation...shall be fined $500 and assessed two motor vehicle penalty points; if no bodily injury results, the violator shall be fined $100 and shall not be assessed any penalty points.

d. Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude or limit a prosecution or conviction for a violation of any offense defined by the laws of this State or for any violation of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes.

2. This act shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month following enactment."

The act was enacted on August 5, 2021, and takes effect on March 1, 2022.

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