The School Zone Automated Speed Enforcement and Safety Act establishes a framework for municipalities and counties in New Jersey to implement automated speed enforcement systems in designated school zones. The act mandates that these systems can only be activated after conducting a traffic engineering and speed study to demonstrate a high volume of pedestrian traffic and a documented safety need. It outlines specific requirements for the systems, including the capability to accurately record vehicle speeds and capture digital images of violations. Signage indicating the presence of these systems must also be installed, and summonses for speeding violations can only be issued for vehicles exceeding the speed limit by at least 10 miles per hour during specified hours on weekdays.

Additionally, the act sets a maximum fine of $75 for violations, with provisions for financial hardship accommodations, and prohibits the assessment of motor vehicle points for offenders. It requires daily self-diagnostic checks and annual independent calibrations of the enforcement systems to ensure accuracy. The act also restricts the data collected by these systems, mandates annual reporting by governing authorities on their effectiveness, and establishes the School Zone Safety Improvement Fund to allocate fine revenues towards pedestrian safety initiatives. The act will take effect 180 days after enactment and will expire five years later unless reauthorized.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39:4-103.1