ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

ASSEMBLY, No. 2123

 

with committee amendments

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: SEPTEMBER 16, 1996

 

      The Assembly Transportation and Communications Committee favorably reports Assembly Bill No.2123 with committee amendments.

      As amended by the committee, this bill would authorize municipalities and counties to install or place an in-street pedestrian crossing right-of-way sign at a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection in any street under their jurisdiction.

      Municipalities and counties could install such signs at their own discretion but would be required to comply with safety-related guidelines to be issued by the Commissioner of Transportation after consulting with the Director of the Office of Highway Traffic Safety. These guidelines would clarify the conditions under which the signs could be used. They would cover subjects such as the proper method of installation, dimensions, material composition, proper placement points and maintenance of the signs.

      The amended bill requires that a certified copy of the ordinance or resolution be transmitted to the Commissioner of Transportation within 30 days of adoption. The commissioner could invalidate the provisions of the ordinance or resolution within 90 days of the receipt of the certified copy if the commissioner finds the provisions of ordinance or resolution inconsistent with State guidelines. The State, a municipality or county would be held harmless against any litigation involving wrongful acts or omissions if its use of the signs complied with the State's guidelines.

      The committee amended the bill to authorize counties as well as municipalities to install in-street pedestrian crossing right-of-way signs and to allow the signs to be installed in any street under the jurisdiction of the municipality or county. The committee amendments also provide that the Commissioner of Transportation may invalidate an ordinance or resolution if the commissioner finds the provisions of ordinance or resolution inconsistent with State guidelines. The amendments also provide that the State would be held harmless against any litigation involving wrongful acts or omissions if the signs installed complied with the State's guidelines.