This bill allows municipalities and counties in New Jersey to reduce speed limits on certain roads by up to five miles per hour without the need for an engineering and traffic investigation, which is currently mandated by law. This provision applies specifically to roads with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less that are located in school zones or designated high-pedestrian areas. However, the bill imposes restrictions, stating that speed limits can only be reduced once for the same road segment and cannot be lowered below 15 miles per hour. Additionally, municipalities and counties are prohibited from making such reductions if a traffic study is underway or has been conducted within the past year.

Furthermore, the bill requires municipalities and counties to establish criteria for identifying high-pedestrian areas through an ordinance or resolution, taking into account the surrounding land use and context. Priority must be given to areas such as commercial downtowns, transit corridors, school zones, and locations within a quarter to half a mile of major transit facilities. Lastly, the bill mandates that appropriate signage be erected by the Commissioner of Transportation, municipalities, or counties to inform the public of the new speed limits.