Senator Diegnan’s Road Safety Bill Signed into Law

TAPinto Edison
By Greg Tufaro

Governor Phil Murphy signed into law Senator Patrick’s Diegnan’s bill designed to help ensure new drivers and other road users understand their responsibilities navigating New Jersey’s roadways.

The legislation requires the inclusion of information regarding the safe passing of pedestrians and all vulnerable road users in the written examination for a driving permit, the curriculum approved for classroom driver education courses, and a brochure distributed to parents and guardians of new drivers.“This bill,” Murphy said, “is going to raise the bar to make certain every person with their picture on a driver’s license fully understands their responsibilities to keep all road users safe.”

The bill also requires information to be included in the driver’s manual instructing motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, skaters, riders of motorized scooters, and riders of other non-motorized vehicles on the proper safety procedures while sharing the roadway.

During his 2025 State of the State Address, Murphy called on the Legislature to enact legislation to upgrade New Jersey’s driver education program to focus on pedestrian and cyclist safety.

Murphy praised Diegnan and other sponsors of the legislation during a July 17 bill signing ceremony at Maplecrest Park in Maplewood, which advocates including members of Families for Safe Streets NJ and individuals who have lost loved ones to car crashes attended.

“Out of incomprehensible tragedies, the grieving family members who have been supportive of this legislation continue to keep alive the indomitable spirit of their loved ones, turning heartbreaking loss into life-changing advocacy,” said Diegnan, who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee.

“They embody why making our roads safe for all road users must be a priority for our state. I thank and commend Governor Murphy for encouraging the Legislature to take action and for signing this bill into law.”

Sangeeta Badlani, founder of the Nikhil Badlani Foundation, Families for Safe Streets NJ and co-founder of the Vision Zero NJ Alliance, was a driving force behind the legislation and several other road safety bills that have been signed into law. Sangeeta and her husband Sunil tragically lost their son Nikhil in a car crash. A gifted student, Boy Scout, and passionate musician, he was just 11 years old.

“This legislation is a critical step toward saving lives on our roads,” Sangeeta Badlani said. “By ensuring that driver education and testing emphasize the responsibility drivers have when passing pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users, we are sending a clear message: safety must come first. As a mother who lost a child to traffic violence, I know all too well the pain that comes when that responsibility is ignored. I’m grateful to the lawmakers who listened to our voices and to the young advocates who helped make this bill a reality. Together, we are changing the culture of driving in New Jersey—one law at a time.”

Pedestrian deaths on New Jersey roadways totaled 222 in 2024, the most such fatalities the state has endured in three decades, according to State Police data. Overall, New Jersey saw a 14 percent increase in all traffic deaths in 2024 from the previous year with 691 people killed in 654 crashes.

“Sharing the road is paramount and ensuring all road users understand their obligations will help prevent future crashes and injuries,” Diegnan said. “This new law is another step toward making our state’s roads safer, helping to ensure motorists and all road users know their responsibilities.”

A champion of road safety with a goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries on the state’s roadways, Diegnan was also the sponsor of legislation establishing the New Jersey Target Zero Commission and New Jersey’s Safe Passing Law, regarded among the nation’s most comprehensive.

Under the bill Murphy signed into law on July 17, motorists will be required to understand their responsibilities under the Safe Passing Law, which took effect in March 2022. The Safe Passing Law provides unambiguous and enforceable rules for motorists regarding when and how to pass vulnerable road users including pedestrians, cyclists, and others.

The Safe Passing Law requires motorists to adhere to certain safety precautions upon overtaking vulnerable road users.

Those precautions include: Following all current no passing and no speeding laws and moving over a lane if one is available to pass vulnerable road users ; Allowing a 4-foot safety zone upon passing vulnerable road users on single-lane roads; Slowing down to 25 mph and being prepared to stop until the vulnerable road user can be safely passed when 4-feet of distance on a section of road is unavailable.

Any individual who commits a violation of the provisions that results in bodily injury or harm will be fined $500 and assessed two motor vehicle points. Otherwise, the violator would be fined $100.

“It’s crucial for drivers to exercise caution and vigilance whenever they’re behind the wheel,” said Latrecia Littles-Floyd, Acting Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission. “By cultivating careful driving and passing practices, we aim to make our roads safer for everyone. (Diegnan’s bill) will place added emphasis on drivers sharing the road with pedestrians, cyclists, and vulnerable road users in our driver manual and driver testing.”

New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Fran O’Connor said, “Safety is everyone’s responsibility and this law helps make sure drivers are properly educated so they are doing their part to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities with pedestrians and cyclists.”