Assembly Committee Moves to Enhance Safety for People with Disabilities
Dr. Salvatore Pizzuro a is a learning, transition and disability policy specialist, who represents people with disabilities at New Jersey’s Office of Administrative Law. He holds a doctorate in Developmental Disabilities from Columbia University and an advanced degree in Disability Law from New York Law School. He has consulted the US Congress on each reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act since it's inception, and has authored numerous books, professional journal articles and research studies in the areas of disability policy, education, rehabilitation, and community acquiescence.
Within days of the opening of the 216th State Legislature in January, the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee moved to make transportation for people with disabilities safer. Assembly bill 2036 is designed to “require a private entity which is primarily engaged in the business of providing transportation for passengers in wheelchairs to secure, or cause to be secured, any passenger in a wheelchair using a properly adjusted and fastened four-point securement system.” The primary sponsors of the bill are Assemblyman David C. Russo, District 40 (Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic), Assemblyman Upendra J. Chivukula, District 17 (Middlesex and Somerset),Assemblywoman Marlene Caride, District 36 (Bergen and Passaic), and Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski, District 19 (Middlesex).
According to the publicity for the bill, “A four-point securement system is defined as a complete four-point system that includes: (1) four wheelchair restraints to secure a wheelchair to the vehicle floor; (2) occupant securements; (3) a lap and shoulder belt that integrates to the rear wheelchair restraints; and (4) floor anchorages installed in the vehicle floor. The private entity is also required to secure unoccupied wheelchairs”. For years, studies have indicated that people with disabilities are more likely to incur serious injuries than the non-disabled population when riding in automobiles and traveling as pedestrians. The bill itself states that, “For the purposes of this act, the term "passenger automobile" shall include vans, pick-up trucks, and utility vehicles”.
Transportation safety for people with disabilities has always been a major issue, with concern becoming more acute at the beginning of this decade. Two years ago, the Legislature passed a law that requires automobiles to come to a complete stop at crosswalks. The measure became Law when statistics revealed the high number of pedestrian fatalities in New Jersey. Unfortunately, many complaints from pedestrians indicate that the crosswalk law may be the most ignored legal measure in New Jersey. Obviously, the layoffs of countless police officers make enforcement more difficult.
A2036 will not solve all transportation safety issues for New Jerseyans with disabilities. However, it is a step in the right direction.
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Recent Articles by Dr. Salvatore Pizzuro, Ed.D:
- Thursday, 31 January 2013 - Bipartisan Legislative Initiative Launched To Improve NJ Special Education
- Thursday, 27 December 2012 - Huttle and Wagner Propose Legislation to Protect Senior Citizens with Dementia from Abuse and Neglect
- Friday, 14 December 2012 - Schaer Moves to Make Health Insurance More Transparent for Consumers
- Wednesday, 12 December 2012 - 'Bill of Rights' For Family Members Of Developmentally Disabled
- Tuesday, 11 December 2012 - New Jersey’s Working Poor Need Corrective Action, Now!