New Law Bans NJ Transit Engineers With DWI-related License Suspensions From Operating Trains

A new piece of legislation was recently signed into law in New Jersey that bans NJ Transit engineers with a DWI-related license suspension from operating NJ Transit locomotives.

The bill, S-20, was signed into law by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on August 31st, 2016 after concerns were raised that Federal Regulations do not require engineers to have a driver's license in order to operate a train.

For more information about the legislation, click here.

About The New Law Affecting NJ Transit Engineers

The new legislation was first introduced in May 2016 after news broke that an engineer employed by NJ Transit was operating trains even though his driver’s license was under suspension for 10 years due to prior DWI convictions.

After introducing the bill, legislators called for an emergency vote in the State Senate in order to expedite the legislative process. The bill passed the full Senate on a 38-0 vote before being signed into law by Governor Chris Christie.

The new law, which went into effect immediately, bans individuals with DWI-related license suspensions from operating trains in New Jersey.

It is important to note that the law only bans engineers convicted of DWI-related charges from operating a train during the period of their license suspension, stemming from a drunk driving charge or refusal to submit to a breath test.

In other words, an engineer whose driver’s license has been suspended or revoked for DWI-related charges will still be eligible to operate locomotives, but only after his or her license has been fully restored.

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At Levow DWI Law, P.C., our award-winning DWI defense attorneys represent the rights of driver’s throughout the State of New Jersey who have been arrested on drunk driving charges.

We are dedicated to helping drivers understand all of their legal rights after a DWI arrest and we are committed to helping defend those rights.

We have helped many of our clients obtain favorable outcomes, such as reduced penalties and charges, after being arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated in the State of New Jersey.

If you were arrested on suspicion of DWI or have any questions about New Jersey’s DWI laws, please contact our law firm for a free consultation.