SENATE, No. 900

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED MARCH 7, 1996

 

 

By Senators CARDINALE and KOSCO

 

 

An Act concerning motor vehicle rights of way and amending R.S.39:4-90.

 

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

 

    1. R.S.39:4-90 is amended to read as follows:

    39:4-90. The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right of way to a vehicle which has entered the intersection. When 2 vehicles enter an intersection at the same time the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right of way to the driver of the vehicle on the right.

    The driver of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn to the left shall yield to a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard, but the driver having so yielded, and having given a signal when and as required by law, may make the left turn; and other vehicles approaching the intersection from the opposite direction shall yield to the driver making the left turn.

    Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the driver of a vehicle making a lawful left turn, which is struck by a vehicle approaching in the opposite direction at a rate of speed exceeding the lawful limit, shall not be guilty of a violation under this section.

(cf: P.L.1958, c.114, s.1)

 

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This bill amends the R.S.39:4-90 of the State motor vehicle code, which governs the right of way of vehicles at intersections. The bill would prevent a driver who is making a lawful left turn from being found guilty of a violation if his vehicle is struck by an approaching vehicle which is exceeding the lawful speed limit. This bill is intended to clarify that motorists making lawful left turns at intersections enjoy the right of way over vehicles approaching in the opposite direction at excessive speeds.

 

 

 

Clarifies right of way for vehicles turning left in certain instances.