Ridgefield Park Police Department
Traffic Bureau

Sgt. Philip McEntee, 201-641-4950 ext. 156, EMAIL

A state law in effect December 1, 2001 sets the following rules for children riding in motor vehicles other than school buses:

• Infants up to 1 year old must be in a rear-facing car seat.
  
• Children 1 to 4 must be in a forward-facing car seat.
  
• Children 5 to 7 who weigh less than 80 pounds must be secured in a booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt.
  
• Children 8 to 17, or those heavier than 80 pounds, must wear a safety belt, no matter where they’re sitting in the car.
  
• All children under 8 must sit with proper restraints, in the back seat, unless the vehicle doesn’t have a back seat or other children are already sitting there.
  
• Penalties range from $10 to $25 per violation, per child. (39:3-76-2a)
• Sgt. McEntee is a trained child seat technician. If you have any questions regarding the proper installation and use of your child's car seat, please call to make an appointment.

Existing state statute (39:3-76-2f) enumerates the the driver and all passengers in a motor vehicle are required to be securely buckled. This is a primary violation, meaning a police officer may stop you solely for not wearing a seat belt. So be safe and wear your seat belt and make sure all passengers do too!

The recent popularity of motorized scooters has raised the issue of legality of such devices on public roadways. Motorized scooters or skateboards are sometimes referred to as "Go-Peds" and can cost up to $600.00. Much of the recent attention has been focused on the danger of these devices, corroborated by emergency room visits by their operators. They can be difficult to see by motorists, and the wheels are so narrow the are vulnerable to pavement cracks.

With regard to current law, the Department of Transportation has publicly stated that motorized scooters are motor vehicles and therefore subject to Title 39 (Motor Vehicle & traffic Laws). Some area police departments have issued unregistered vehicle or uninsured motorist summonses. Others stop the rider and confiscate the motorized scooter.

A motorized scooter or skateboard falls under the definition of "motor vehicle" in N.J.S.A. 39:1-1. A "motorcycle" includes all motor-operated bicycles, whether it has a seat or a "platform on which the driver stands". Accordingly, such devices may not be operated on public property or roadways because they do not meet the State and Federal Department of Transportation standards for motorcycles. It is not conceivable the manufacturer intended for this vehicle to be licensed as a motorcycle since it does not bear the necessary DOT certification. As with other motorized vehicles which are prohibited from being operated on public roads, the Go-Ped would be restricted to use on private property provided the owner of the property consented to such use.

Operating a Go-Ped on a sidewalk would be prohibited under Title 39:4-71. These same restrictions against use on public streets and sidewalks apply to off-road dirt bikes, mini-bikes, go-carts etc.

Any questions or comments on either of the above topics contact:

Ridgefield Park Police Department Traffic Bureau

(201) 641-4950 Ext. 156
or
E-mail - traffik134@aol.com