ASSEMBLY, No. 701

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 1996 SESSION

By Assemblyman ZISA and Assemblywoman WEINBERG

An Act concerning motor vehicles and supplementing chapter 3 of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes.

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

    1. The driver of a motor vehicle equipped with an interior light, when stopped by a law enforcement officer during the period when lighted lamps are required, shall activate an interior light of the vehicle in order to illuminate the driver's compartment of the vehicle. Any person who purposely refuses to comply with this section shall be subject to a penalty of not more than $50.

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

STATEMENT

    This bill requires motorists who are stopped by police at night or during times when visibility is hampered to turn on an interior light to illuminate the driver's compartment of the motor vehicle. This will help provide a measure of protection for police officers who often are unable to see the occupants of a darkened vehicle as they approach it.     The bill would also impose a $50 fine on any person who purposely refuses to comply with the requirements of the law.

Requires interior light of motor vehicle be turned on when stopped by police at night.