Bill Banning Trucks In Left Lane Of NJ Highways Passes Assembly

NEW JERSEY — Truckers won’t be able to travel in the far left lane of New Jersey highways and toll roads under a bill that’s now passed the NJ Assembly despite objections from industry lobbyists.

Under this bill, trucks with a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or more would be prohibited from traveling in the far left-hand lane on two-lane highways, as well as the NJ Turnpike where this prohibition already exists.

Joseph Egan (D-17) and Wayne DeAngelo (D-14) are sponsors of the bill (A4470), which was introduced last September and passed the Assembly’s Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee by a vote of 9-1 (with two members not voting) on Thursday, March 23. There is no Senate version of the bill at present.

The bill doubles penalties for trucks found to violate the law, up to between $200 and $600, and also requires truck drivers alleged to have broken the proposed law to appear in-person for court appearances.

Mary Ellen Peppard of the New Jersey Food Council and Eric DeGesero of the New Jersey Motor Truck Association urged senators not to pass the bill.

Peppard said the bill would reduce truckers’ efficiency and clog up other lanes.

“You’re really sort of taking up time and hindering commerce at that point. It seems, I would say, punitive,” Peppard is quoted as saying in the New Jersey Monitor.

DeGesero questioned the provision that would require violators to appear in court.

“I’m a truck driver from Utah, and I’m unaware of a stupid New Jersey law, and I have to come back to pay a fine? And we’re increasing the fines as well, and we’re increasing them just for trucks, just for this?” DeGesero said, according to the NJ Monitor. “It’s punitive, on top of punitive, on top of punitive, on top of punitive. And it’s unsafe. I urge you to defeat this bill.”

Under the proposed bill, truckers are able to use the left lane to prepare for a left-hand turn or enter or leave the roadway, but are limited to one mile of distance in the left lane to do so. Truckers may also pull over or use the left lane because of emergency conditions such as snow, poor visibility, or the presence of emergency vehicles.

The bill also requires transportation officials to put up signage informing drivers of the left-lane limit.

The Assembly committee also approved a bipartisan bill (A975) requiring commercial vehicles driving on NJ highways to have a GPS system that is capable of handling the vehicle’s specifications.