Gov. Murphy Signs
"Sami's Law" in Robbinsville

Gov. Phil Murphy Signs "Sami's Law" in Robbinsville

ROBBINSVILLE! NJ - (June 20, 2019) - After unanimously passing both the Legislature and Senate, New Jersey Governor Phil D. Murphy  signed "Sami's Law" Thursday at the Robbinsville Township Municipal Building.

"Sami’s Law" is named after Samantha Josephson, a Robbinsville resident killed about 65 miles outside Columbia, South Carolina on March 29 when she entered a vehicle she believed was the Uber car she had requested.

Samantha's parents, Seymour and Marci Josephson, sprung into action immediately after their beloved daughter's murder to help enact global change. #whatsmyname is now a common and vital refrain of potential rideshare clients around the world.

IMG957891
“Every day, thousands of rideshare passengers entrust drivers to get them to and from home, school, and work safely and without delay,” Gov. Murphy said. “Just one unscrupulous mind seeking to take advantage of those passengers is one too many, and it is our responsibility to keep riders safe. Today, I am proud to stand beside the Josephson family and legislative sponsors to enhance protections for New Jersey’s rideshare passengers, and ensure that Samantha Josephson’s tragic death is not in vain.”

The new law would require identifying markers issued by a ridesharing company to be displayed by each company driver. Each marker would also need to be reflective and/or capable of being illuminated.  The law would require a driver to display the identifying markers on the front windshield and rear window of the driver’s personal vehicle while the driver is logged on to the company’s digital network as a driver or is providing a prearranged ride.

"What Seymour and Marci Josephson and their family have endured with the loss of their daughter Sami is a hardship that no family should face,” D-14 Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo said. “No one should ever be concerned for the safety of themselves or their loved ones when using these services. We must make sure that as these services continue to develop we are constantly working together to make sure customers are served safely and responsibly.”

"Sami's Law" also would require that if the identifying markers are capable of being illuminated, the driver has to have the identifying markers illuminated and visible from outside of the vehicle while the driver is logged on to the company’s digital network during times of darkness, or is providing a pre-arranged ride during times of darkness.

"Things have started to change," Mr. Josephson said. "New Jersey has become the leader in the ride-sharing industry for safety," he said. "We are talking about technology companies. Why hasn't this been done? The QR code?  The signage?  If this was already in place, I would not be standing here, Samantha would. Samantha would be alive."
The bill was released from the Senate by a vote of 38-0 en route to the Governor.

-30-

© 2024 • Robbinsville Township, NJ • 2298 Route 33, Robbinsville, NJ 08691 • (609) 259-3600
Regular Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Monday - Friday)
Construction Department: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Monday - Friday)
www.robbinsville.net

Powered By Revize Login