New Jersey Assembly Panel Advances Distracted Driver Bill

Police in New Jersey may soon have to note whether a driver was distracted before having an accident.

A bill approved by an Assembly committee last week requires officers to check a box describing the type of distraction.

The list includes hair grooming, eating, changing the radio, reading, attending to a pet or using a fax machine.

The bill bars insurance companies from using the information to increase policyholders' rates.

The state Transportation Department would compile an annual report.