39:4-98.11. Findings and declarations regarding "Antwan's Law"

2. The Legislature finds and declares:

a. Route 130 is one of the most dangerous roadways in the State for pedestrians, evidenced by the fact that it was adjudged the most dangerous roadway in New Jersey by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign for five consecutive years from 2011 to 2015.

b. Since 2009, Route 130 has never ranked lower than second on the Tri-State Transportation Campaign's list of most dangerous roadways for pedestrians.

c. The portion of Route 130 in Burlington City, Burlington County is particularly dangerous because its northbound and southbound lanes are separated by a block of commercial properties that contains several popular locales, including a prominent convenience store, two fast food restaurants, two pizza places, a pharmacy, an omelette house, and an ice cream parlor.

d. In addition, Burlington City High School is directly adjacent to the northbound lanes of Route 130 in Burlington City and the Wilbur Watts Intermediate School is directly adjacent to the southbound lanes of Route 130 in Burlington City.

e. A large portion of the Burlington City High School student body resides west of Route 130, necessitating many students of the high school to cross Route 130 in order to get to and from school.

f. The proximity of the northbound and southbound lanes to the two schools, the existence of several commercial properties frequented by members of the student body of those two schools and by residents of the city, and the fact that many students cross Route 130 in order to get to and from school creates a dangerous set of circumstances that threatens the safety of the students and residents of Burlington City.

g. Although the speed limit is reduced to 25 miles per hour on a portion of Route 130 in Burlington City when the presence of children is clearly visible from the roadway during recess or while children are going to or leaving school during opening or closing hours for the Burlington City High School and the Wilbur Watts Intermediate school, the speed limit is 40 miles per hour at all other times.

h. On May 22, 2016, Antwan Timbers, Jr. was returning home, after visiting one of the popular convenience stores located between the northbound and southbound lanes of Route 130 in Burlington City, when he was struck and killed by a passing motorist.

i. Antwan, a beloved member of his school and community, planned to play football and wrestle during the 2016-2017 school year, was a participant in Burlington City High School's Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, and had expressed interest in joining the military after graduation.

j. Following his tragic death, Antwan's friends and schoolmates banded together to start a "25 Saves Lives" campaign, calling for a permanent, full-day reduction in the speed limit in the school zone along Route 130 in Burlington City.

k. The speed limit of 40 miles per hour on the portion of Route 130 adjacent to the Burlington City High School and the Wilbur Watts Intermediate School is too high and, accordingly, needs to be permanently reduced in the interest of public safety.

L.2019, c.5, s.2