In The News
New Jersey measure intended to protect drivers
A bill in the New Jersey Assembly is intended to add a barrier of protection for drivers in the state.
Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, D-Trenton, has introduced a bill that would require the installation of protective fencing along certain highway overpasses in the state to prevent objects from being dropped onto the roadway below.
The bill would require New Jersey’s Department of Transportation, Highway Authority, Turnpike Authority, the South Jersey Transportation Authority, counties and municipalities to install protective fencing along certain overpasses. Municipalities and counties would be reimbursed for the costs of meeting the provisions of the bill.
This is Gusciora’s fourth attempt to get the overpass protection bill approved. The previous three efforts failed to advance from committee.
Gusciora cites the January 2003 death of a Hopewell Township, NJ, woman for his pursuit of the new rule.
Elaine Cowell was killed after an 18-pound chunk of ice was dropped from an overpass and smashed through the windshield of the car she was driving.
Gusciora said the incident “illustrates the need for protective fencing along certain overpasses.â€
The bill – A1748 – is in the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee.