NJ Law Mandates Ignition Interlock Devices
TRENTON, NJ -- Just days before New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was sworn into office, then-acting Gov. Stephen Sweeney signed into law a bill that requires drivers convicted of certain drunken driving offenses to outfit their vehicles with a breathalyzer device.
TRENTON, NJ -- Just days before New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was sworn into office, then-acting Gov. Stephen Sweeney signed into law a bill that requires drivers convicted of certain drunken driving offenses to outfit their vehicles with a breathalyzer device.
The device locks the vehicle's ignition if the driver's blood alcohol concentration reaches a specified level.
Under the new law, the ignition interlock device is mandatory for first-time offenders with a blood alcohol concentration of at least .15. The device remains in place for six months to a year. Repeat offenders are required to outfit their vehicles for one to three years.
The legislation was named "Ricci's Law" to honor Ricci Branca, a 17-year-old killed by a drunk driver while riding a bike. The driver, who fled the scene, was later apprehended and had a blood alcohol concentration of .339 -- more than four times the legal limit of .08, the Star-Ledger newspaper reported.
The law also makes it an offense for someone to start a vehicle for an offender, either by blowing into the device or tampering with it.
More Safety
Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night
This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.
Read More →
IIHS Crash Avoidance Tests Reveal Safety Gaps in Cargo Vans and Work Trucks
New IIHS crash avoidance ratings show uneven performance among cargo vans and heavy-duty pickups, with most struggling to avoid vehicle-to-vehicle collisions.
Read More →
What’s Next for Fleet? Safety, AI & Industry Recognition | AF News Recap
Could your company's culture be encouraging distracted driving? This week, we're exploring how workplace expectations affect driver safety, what AI, EVs, and autonomous vehicles could mean for the future of fleet management, and how fleet professionals can strengthen their award nominations.
Read More →
Does Your Fleet's Culture Encourage Distracted Driving?
What happens when the people responsible for enforcing safety rules are the ones setting the wrong example? The answer may reveal why some of the biggest risks to fleet drivers have little to do with what's written in the employee handbook.
Read More →
Fleet Manager’s Ultimate Playbook: Navigating the New Standard in OEM Connectivity
Rising operating costs, driver safety concerns, and unplanned downtime are putting unprecedented pressure on modern fleets. Discover how fleet managers use embedded OEM connectivity and real-time vehicle data to cut TCO, prevent downtime, and protect drivers without aftermarket telematics hardware.
Read More →
From Driver Well-Being to EV Charging | AF News Recap
Mental health belongs in the fleet safety conversation. This week, we’re looking at five ways fleets can support employee well-being before a crisis, plus Holman’s expansion in Mexico, new one-day Fleet Forward passes, and why EV charging demand is outpacing infrastructure growth.
Read More →
Nexar-Nauto Merger Aims to Give Fleets Better Safety Intelligence Through Larger Driving Dataset
Stefan Heck tells Automotive Fleet that combining more than 10 billion miles of driving history with Nexar's AI models will give fleets deeper insights into driver risk and roadway conditions than either company could provide independently.
Read More →
Don't Wait for a Crisis: 5 Ways to Build Mental Health Into Your Fleet Safety Program
For Suicide Prevention Month, fleet and safety leaders have an opportunity to put mental health where it belongs: at the center of workplace safety.
Read More →
How Camera Data Can Strengthen a Fleet’s Insurance Renewal
Insights from a commercial insurance carrier and a broker show how fleets can turn video telematic data, driver coaching, and improved claims results into a stronger case at insurance renewal.
Read More →
The Safest Fleets Aren’t the Ones with the Most Technology
You’ve made the telematics investment. Here’s how to capture the other half of its value and build the safest fleet on the road.
Read More →