Assemblymen John S. Wisniewski & Vincent Prieto

WISNIEWSKI/PRIETO COMMUTER VAN SAFETY LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE ADVANCES
Legislation Designed to Make Van Services for Day-Laborers Safer

(TRENTON) - An Assembly panel today released three bills of a sweeping legislative package Assemblymen John S. Wisniewski and Vincent Prieto sponsored to increase the safety and security of commuter van services used by many day-labor employers.ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS
NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE:
May 15, 2006

CONTACT:
Assemblyman Wisniewski
(732) 316-1885
Assemblyman Prieto
(201) 770-1303
James Sverapa IV
(609) 292-7065

WISNIEWSKI/PRIETO COMMUTER VAN SAFETY LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE ADVANCES
Legislation Designed to Make Van Services for Day-Laborers Safer

(TRENTON) - An Assembly panel today released three bills of a sweeping legislative package Assemblymen John S. Wisniewski and Vincent Prieto sponsored to increase the safety and security of commuter van services used by many day-labor employers.

According to the assemblymen, the package of bills was crafted following news reports last year that uncovered startling and serious concerns regarding the safety of many of the van fleets that shuttling low-income day laborers to and from work. According to police reports cited in the articles, nearly 97 percent of the 209 commuter vans pulled over for roadside safety spot checks were either in violation of state registration and licensing regulations or simply deemed to be so unsound as to be unsafe to drive.

"Over 12,000 people are riding to and from work in commuter vans that are grossly unsafe," said Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), chairman of the Assembly Transportation and Public Works Committee. "We heard extensive testimony last year about how pervasive this problem has become in our state and promised legislative action to help correct this problem. Today, we are taking the first steps toward ensuring that these vans don't pose a threat to other motorists or the people who ride in them."

The overall Wisniewski/Prieto package would amend current laws to fix regulatory loopholes, enhance public awareness of van safety issues, commission a study on the feasibility of a statewide van insurance pool and increase the penalties for operating unsafe or illegally licensed and registered van pools.

Current law gives the Department of Transportation (DOT), not the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) regulatory authority over limousine services. The first bill (A-2262) released today would correct that technical oversight and bring state laws in line with actions already being performed by the MVC regarding limousine service regulations.

A second bill (A-2977) would seek to enhance public awareness on the dangers of illegally operated commuter vans through an English and Spanish public awareness campaign on van safety to be created by DOT.

A third measure (A-2978) would require the Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) to conduct a feasibility study concerning the lowering of insurance costs in New Jersey for vehicles engaged in transporting passengers for hire. The study would examine the mechanisms to be used to create a statewide pool, the status of the current insurance market, the effects such a statewide pool would have on the state's insurance market and vice-versa and any other issues deemed relevant by DOBI.

"These workers, who are trying to get to and from a job the same as any of us, deserve the same standards of safety that we expect when we get behind the wheel or join a carpool," said Prieto (D-Hudson). "Safe, reliable transportation in our state is a necessity, not a privilege, and should not be treated as such."

The three bills were unanimously released by the Assembly Transportation and Public Works Committee.

Another piece of legislation concerning commuter van pools (A-2983) was heard by the Assembly Labor Committee today. The bill, which would make temp-service firms subject to the same standards and regulations as other employment agencies, was released 4-0-2.

The legislation now heads to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post the bills for a floor vote.

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