New Jersey’s Safe Passing Law

A Petition

New Jersey's Safe Passing Law, which establishes limits for automobile drivers to adhere to when encountering cyclists and pedestrians on the roads has been in effect since March 2022.  Since the law’s enactment, the State has done little to increase driver awareness or promote the law.  Further, minimum efforts have been made by the State to post signage about the law on New Jersey's roadways despite significant discussions with State officials.  The result is that most drivers are unaware of their responsibilities under the law.

As cyclists, all of us have been put at increased risk due to the failure of automobile drivers to understand and respect the Safe Passing Law. Each of us has witnessed drivers continue to endanger cyclists on our roads. The tragedy is real, as we record weekly cyclist fatalities caused by drivers who fail to grasp their responsibilities under the Safe Passing Law when encountering cyclists on the roads.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2018, there were 857 cyclists killed in traffic crashes in the United States.  Sadly, New Jersey has one of the highest pedestrian fatality rates in the nation, and the NJ cycling fatality rate has been rising – doubling in the past decade and jumping 50% since the law was passed.  Grief from cycling and pedestrian fatalities tears apart families and the communities where these crashes occur.   Even if one life is saved, New Jersey's share of these fatalities can be reduced if the Safe Passing Law is adequately implemented and publicized.

We are urging all New Jersey Legislators and officials to not only acknowledge this issue but to take concrete, decisive action to promote the law and increase driver awareness. We further encourage them to work with County and Municipal agencies to accomplish an awareness goal.  The effort to post informative signage needs urgent attention immediately and will help create a culture in which drivers begin to respect the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.  

We are mothers, fathers, sons, daughters who cycle daily on New Jersey's roads, and we demand a safer environment. Help us achieve this goal by signing this petition today and urging New Jersey officials and legislators to improve visibility and promote the Safe Passing Law to protect cyclists. 

Please sign this petition today.