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CA

Bill

A 4765

Requires driver education and testing on responsibilities when approaching and passing pedestrians and persons operating bicycles and personal conveyances; requires driver's manual to include information on sharing roadway with motorists for certain road users.*

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Carmen Amato and 12 co-sponsors

New Jersey requires driver education and licensing exams to include safety training for passing pedestrians and cyclists, plus manual updates on roadway-sharing responsibilities.

Approved P.L.2025, c.103.
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Bill Summary · A 4765

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 4765 mandates that New Jersey driver education programs and licensing tests include specific instruction on safely approaching, passing, and sharing the roadway with pedestrians, cyclists, and users of personal conveyances (like scooters). The bill also requires the state driver's manual to contain information on how non-motorized road users should safely share roadways with motor vehicles.

Why is this important

Pedestrian and bicycle fatalities remain a significant public safety concern in New Jersey and nationwide. By embedding this education into mandatory driver training and testing, the bill aims to reduce accidents through improved motorist awareness and behavior. This addresses a gap where many drivers may lack formal instruction on vulnerable road user safety despite encountering them regularly.

Potential points of contention

  • Curriculum burden: Adding mandatory content to driver education programs increases instructional time and cost, which could affect driver's ed providers and potentially increase licensing fees for new drivers.
  • Enforcement and effectiveness: The bill requires education but doesn't establish mechanisms to verify compliance or measure whether the training actually changes driver behavior on roads.
  • Incomplete reciprocity: While the bill addresses motorist responsibilities, it requires pedestrian/cyclist education in the driver's manual but doesn't mandate equivalent road-safety training for non-motorized users themselves.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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