SENATE, No. 1235

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED JUNE 3, 1996

By Senator ZANE

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 requires motorists to activate the interior lights when stopped by a police officer. The bill also requires that the $50 fine be imposed on any person who "purposely" refused to comply with the requirements of the law.

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