Credit: (AP Photo/Paul Sancia)State lawmakers want to prevent a popular driving navigation app from suggesting drivers avoid traffic jams in New Jersey by using side roads that may not be able to accommodate increased traffic.
Concerns about public safety and traffic congestion have become major issues in recent years in many northern New Jersey communities, including small towns along Interstate 95 where the highway approaches the George Washington Bridge.
In response to these concerns, a bill was passed through committees in both the House and Senate earlier this week.
chain traffic jam
Sponsors say that when a backup occurs, apps like Waze and Google Maps use algorithms to inform drivers of potentially faster routes in real time — even if the alternative takes drivers down small side streets. Even if it means taking them there and potentially getting stuck in traffic right away.
“Many of our towns experience significant congestion on residential streets and small roads, areas not intended to handle diverted highway traffic,” said Congressman Clinton Calabrese ( Democratic Party, Bergen) said.
According to the bill, app owners could be fined up to $5,000 per day if they do not comply with the proposed law.
“This situation could impede access for emergency vehicles, lead to further accidents, and negatively impact public safety,” said Calabrese, the bill’s lead sponsor.
Research shows that driving navigation apps that provide turn-by-turn directions via smartphones are used by billions of drivers around the world.
Some apps can also provide drivers with up-to-date road conditions, including alerts about construction, accidents, and traffic jams. It can also suggest new routes to avoid things like slowdowns and tolls, depending on the driver’s preferences.
unintended consequences
But the bill’s supporters say these apps have an impact on both the drivers who use them and those who live in small communities located near major highways like Interstate 95. It states that this may lead to unintended consequences.
“This bill seeks to balance the benefits of technology with the safety of our communities,” said Calabrese, who chairs the Assembly Transportation and Independent Government Committee.
Ridgefield Police Department Deputy Chief Kenny Sheridan said his area is one of the areas where small rural roads often experience heavy traffic caused by driving apps.
“These drivers are often saving only a few minutes on the trip, but at a far greater cost to public safety,” Sheridan said at a recent public hearing convened by the Calabrese City Commission. said.
“In recent years, there has been a significant increase in pedestrian and bicycle accidents as a direct result of increased traffic,” he said.
involve the nation
To address transportation issues, the bill, sponsored by Calabrese and Senate sponsor Gordon Johnson (D-Bergen), would give local governments the option of adopting a resolution calling for a national investigation into an “emergency situation.” It turns out.
From there, the request will be reviewed by both the state Department of Transportation and the Attorney General’s Office, with the latter giving app owners the ability to order drivers to detour around areas designated as “emergency.” It will be.
“It’s a very difficult thing to try to manage. The reality is we have a lot of commuters and a lot of traffic in this state.” — Dale Florio, lobbyist representing Google
According to the bill, app owners would be subject to fines of up to $5,000 per day if they do not comply with the proposed law.
It’s unclear whether other states are pursuing legislation to address similar concerns, but lobbyist Dale Florio, who spoke on behalf of Google at a recent Senate committee hearing, said the proposed legislation raised some concerns.
In it, he said the bill as currently drafted would not apply to some turn-by-turn navigation systems, including those that manufacturers install directly on car dashboards.
constitutional question
Those who already know local shortcuts will be free to travel through them whenever a backup occurs, Florio said.
“Trying to manage this is very difficult,” he said. “The fact is, we have a lot of commuters and a lot of traffic in this state.”
Meanwhile, some lawmakers expressed concerns about the constitutionality of restricting public access to what is essentially a public right-of-way.
“I don’t think the government should decide which roads some people can use and others can’t,” said Rep. Greg McGuckin (R-Ocean).
“I believe this would be a ‘legal bonanza’ if passed,” said Rep. Christian Barranco (R-Pass.).
