Assemblyman David Mayer & Assemblyman Bob Gordon

MAYER/GORDON BILL DECREASING PENALTIES FOR DRIVERS WHO FORGET LICENSES, OTHER DOCUMENTS PASSES ASSEMBLY

(TRENTON) - The Assembly today approved legislation sponsored by Assemblymen David Mayer and Bob Gordon sponsored to provide drivers who forget to carry their license, registration, or proof of auto insurance relief from exorbitant fines and the threat of having their car impounded.
"There is a world of difference between an unlicensed, uninsured driver being pulled over in an unregistered car and a good driver who merely forgot to grab their wallet on their way out of the house," said Mayer (D-Camden/Gloucester).

"Yet, our law imposes steep fines and puts good drivers at risk of having their car impounded for what may be an unintentional mistake. It is unfair that drivers with otherwise spotless records would be treated the same as scofflaws."

The bill (A-427) would halve the fines imposed on a driver who cannot immediately produce a driver's license, vehicle registration, or valid auto insurance card - from $150 to $75 per document. Violators can have any fines dropped by producing the necessary documents in municipal court.

"Not every driver remembers to replace the proof of insurance card they keep in their wallet or glove compartment the day their new policy takes hold," said Gordon (D-Bergen). "Millions of New Jerseyans rely on their car to get to work, drop their kids off at school, or visit an elderly relative - having a car unfairly impounded can have a real negative effect on a family. We should not be unduly penalizing law-abiding, policy-holding motorists for such a simple oversight."

The measure passed 79 to 0. It now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

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FOR RELEASE:
January 29, 2007

CONTACT:
Assemblyman Mayer
(856) 227-5900
Assemblyman Gordon
(201) 703-9779
Derek Roseman
(609) 292-7065