40:11A-2. Declaration of necessity of legislation

It is hereby determined and declared:

(a) That the greatly increased use by the public of motor vehicles of all kinds has caused serious traffic congestion on the streets of urban centers of population in the municipalities of this State.

(b) That the parking of an excessive number of motor vehicles on the streets has contributed to this congestion to such an extent as to interfere seriously with the primary use of such streets for the movement of traffic.

(c) That such parking prevents the free circulation of traffic in, through and from municipalities, impedes rapid and effective fighting of fires and the disposition of police forces and endangers the health, safety and welfare of the general public.

(d) That such parking threatens irreparable loss in valuations of property in the municipalities which can no longer be readily reached by vehicular traffic.

(e) That this parking crisis which threatens the welfare of the community can be reduced by providing sufficient off-street and on-street parking facilities properly located in the several residential, commercial and industrial areas of municipalities.

(f) That adequate provision of properly located terminal space for automobiles is a public responsibility.

(g) That the parking problem cannot be remedied by regulatory processes and cannot be effectively dealt with by private enterprise.

(h) That the establishment of parking authorities will promote the public safety, convenience and welfare and the necessity in the public interest for the provisions hereinafter enacted, is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination.

L.1948, c. 198, p. 975, s. 2. Amended by L.1954, c. 138, p. 621, s. 1, eff. July 12, 1954.