ASSEMBLY, No. 56

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 1996 SESSION

 

 

By Assemblyman KAVANAUGH

 

 

An Act concerning penalties for motor vehicle equipment violations and amending R.S.39:3-79.

 

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

    1. R.S.39:3-79 is amended to read as follows:

    39:3-79. Any person violating any of the provisions of this article shall be subject to a fine not less than $50 or exceeding [twenty-five dollars] $1,000.

(cf: R.S.39:3-79)

 

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This bill increases the fine that may be imposed for a violation concerning the installation and maintenance of motor vehicle equipment. It raises the general penalty for equipment violations from the current maximum fine of $25 to a minimum fine of $50 and a maximum of $1,000. The fine for equipment violations has not been increased for more than 50 years.

    A recent fatal accident provides the impetus for this bill. A motorist was killed when her vehicle was struck at an intersection by a truck with worn brake linings. The maximum fine that could be imposed on the truck owner under R.S.39:3-44 for operation of an unsafe vehicle was $25. It is hoped that the higher penalties provided by this bill will encourage owners to maintain their vehicles in good repair.


 

Increases penalty for motor vehicle equipment violation.