Councilmen applaud enactment of Nikki's Law

VERNON — Township councilman Brian Lynch mentioned it nearly every opportunity he had, continually asking for a law that would ban texting while driving throughout New Jersey.

Last week, Gov. Chris Christie signed Nikki's Law last week, which will require the state Department of Transportation to erect signs and use variable message signs to inform motorists of the state law that prohibits texting while driving.

"I hope Vernon will also do the same thing because this is becoming a major, major problem," councilman Dick Wetzel said.

The law was named after Nikki Kellenyi, a then 18-year-old high school senior from Washington Township. She died in a car crash last April. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined but Wetzel said authorities believe texting to be among the causes of the crash.

"I'm glad to see the governor has finally listened to me," Lynch added. "It's important."