NJ
New Jersey Senate Bill S452

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill S452

Introduced
1/9/24  

Caption

Requires school districts to provide instruction on the dangers of texting while driving as part of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

Impact

If enacted, S452 would modify existing state educational requirements by supplementing chapter 35 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes. School districts would be required to teach about the dangers of texting and the resultant erratic driving behaviors, such as sudden speed changes and lane-weaving, along with relevant statistics about accidents, injuries, and fatalities caused by texting while driving. This educational approach is part of a broader initiative to enhance public safety by educating the youth on crucial driver safety topics.

Summary

Senate Bill S452 aims to address the growing concern of distracted driving among teenagers by mandating public school districts in New Jersey to integrate instruction on the dangers of texting while driving into their health education curriculum. This requirement is intended to educate students in grades 9 through 12 about the severe risks associated with cell phone usage while driving, emphasizing the correlation between distracted driving behaviors and traffic accidents. The bill specifically targets raising awareness among young drivers, who are statistically more prone to distractions while behind the wheel.

Contention

While the bill is positioned as a beneficial step towards safer driving practices, it may provoke discussions around the efficacy of education alone in tackling the issue of distracted driving, with some stakeholders potentially questioning whether this educational approach can effectively reduce incidents. There may be considerations of budgetary impacts for schools needing to develop and implement new educational materials and training for instructors, as well as debates on how best to engage young drivers in understanding and mitigating these risks.

Latest S452 Activity

Companion Bills

NJ A1636

Carry Over Requires school districts to provide instruction on the dangers of texting while driving as part of the Core Curriculum Content Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

NJ S123

Carry Over Requires school districts to provide instruction on the dangers of texting while driving as part of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

Previously Filed As

NJ S123

Requires school districts to provide instruction on the dangers of texting while driving as part of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

NJ A1039

Requires school districts to provide instruction on the dangers of texting while driving as part of the Core Curriculum Content Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

NJ A1636

Requires school districts to provide instruction on the dangers of texting while driving as part of the Core Curriculum Content Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

NJ A2012

Requires school districts to provide instruction on dangers of electronic cigarette usage as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

NJ A1826

Requires school districts to provide instruction on dangers of electronic cigarette usage as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

NJ S3330

Requires school districts to provide instruction on grief as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

NJ A5015

Requires school districts to provide instruction on grief as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

NJ S679

Requires school districts to provide instruction on water safety as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

NJ S2925

Requires school districts to provide instruction on water safety as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

NJ A618

Requires school districts to provide instruction on water safety as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

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