N.J. toughens penalties for injury-causing accidents spurred by road rage
A new law in New Jersey increases the penalties for road rage incidents resulting in serious injury. Gov. Chris Christie signed it Friday as namesake Jessica Rogers watched from her wheelchair.
Rogers, 23, suffered a spinal cord injury seven years ago when the car she was in crashed into a utility pole after being cut off by another car.
She’s upset that driver was sentenced to only four months in jail.
“I’m serving a lifetime sentence, if you think about it, and four months that’s nothing. I think it should have been a lot more,” Rogers said.
Penalties under the new law could be as much as five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
Christie said her hopes it sends a message that drivers are not permitted to act out childish tantrums while behind the wheel.
Rogers, who has undergone nearly two dozen surgeries, remains partially paralyzed.
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