(TRENTON)— Governor James E. McGreevey signed into law today legislation that will increase jail time for repeat offenders who drive while their licenses are revoked. 

 

Assembly Bill 1727 requires persons convicted of asecond or subsequent offense of driving with a revoked or suspended license, whose offense involves a moving motor vehicle violation, to serve a term of imprisonment that is 10 days longer than the term of imprisonment imposed for their previous offense. 

 

 “By increasing the amount of time repeat offenders will spend in jail, we are effectively deterring persons from getting behind the wheel after their driving privileges have been suspended or revoked,” said McGreevey.  “This new law sends a strong, clear message to persons who drive without a valid license that—whether their license was revoked because of drinking and driving or other traffic violations—their behavior will not be tolerated.”

 

Under current law, there is no distinction between moving violations and technical violations.  Recognizing that moving violations pose greater risk to the public than technical violations, the new law clearly defines moving violations and assignsstiffer penalties to suspended or revoked drivers who commit moving violations. Specifically, the bill defines a moving violation as any violation in which the Department of Motor Vehicles assesses points to an individual’s license.

 

“I would like to commend Assemblymen Cryan and Barnes as well as Senators Inverso and Allen for sponsoring legislation that serves to protect innocent children and families from the reckless and irresponsible behavior of people who drive with a suspended or revoked license,” said McGreevey.

 

The Assembly bill was sponsored by Asssemblymen Joseph Cryan (D-Union) and Peter Barnes (D-Middlesex).  Senate Bill 1270, sponsored by Senators Peter Inverso (R-Mercer, Middlesex), and Diane Allen (R-Burlington/Camden), was substituted by this bill. The law will go into effect immediately.