NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey lawmakers have advanced a piece of legislation that would require GPS navigation apps to remove some local roads if suggested routes are causing major delays.
Transportation Committee Chair Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese says the Safer Apps bill would require service providers like Google and Apple to remove local side streets from suggested routes in a traffic emergency, as reported by local officials.
“If such a condition is found, the attorney general can issue an order to the navigational app to reroute traffic,” Calabrese said. “Non-compliance by the navigational system provider can result in fines of $5,000 per day, with penalties being paid to the affected municipality.”
People testifying in favor of the bill say unbearable traffic has prevented police and fire departments from getting to emergencies quickly while also causing extra wear and tear on roads not designed for heavy volume.
Those opposed to the bill say the government shouldn’t tell people which public roads they can or can’t use and that this could be a legal boondoggle.
“While we recognize and appreciate the contributions of these technologies in reducing travel time and congestion, we must also ensure that public safety is not compromised in the pursuit of shaving off a few minutes,” Calabrese said. “This bill seeks to strike a balance between the benefits of technology and the safety of our communities.”
The bill received committee approval. It’s not yet scheduled for a full vote.