Senator Steve Oroho’s bill to improve the safety of New Jersey roadways by defining ‘personal conveyance’ and expanding the definition of ‘pedestrian’ was passed by the New Jersey Senate.
“New Jersey has some of the most congested roadways in the nation so we need to be vigilant in making conditions safe for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians alike,” said Senator Oroho. “As we work toward making everyone feel as comfortable as possible in their travels, this is yet another measure we can employ to improve safety.”
Current law does not define “personal conveyance.” Under S3544, “personal conveyance” includes, but is not limited to, a low speed electric bicycle, a low-speed electric scooter, a manual wheelchair, a motorized wheelchair or a similar mobility assisting device used by persons with physical disabilities or by persons whose ambulatory mobility has been impaired by age or illness, an electric personal assistive mobility device, a motorized scooter, a skateboard, a motorized skateboard, roller skates, and any other device used by a person for transportation.
This bill also makes clarifying changes to the definition of “pedestrian” to include, but not limited to, a pedestrian as defined under current law or any other person who is upon the roadway and outside of a motor vehicle for work, emergency response, or recreation.