A road warrior is suing the New Jersey town that has forbidden nonresidents from using its side streets.
Attorney Jaqueline Rosa filed papers Tuesday, claiming that the town of Leonia — which will soon fine nonlocals who use residential streets — is infringing on her right to public roads and violating rights to freedom of travel, according to NorthJersey.com.
“If every town did what Leonia did, it would be absolutely ridiculous. Every single person would have to use a highway to get anywhere,” the road crusader raged, according to the outlet.
Beginning next week, the town will fine nonlocals $200 if they’re caught using some 55 residential roads from 6 to 10 a.m. and from 4 to 9 p.m. Residents and workers must display yellow hang tags to avoid the fines.
But the law contradicts a state rule that sets maximum fines for violating road closures at $100, Rosa’s suit claims. Leonia also allegedly failed to properly notify the county of its scheme.
Town officials have claimed the measure will prevent motorists seeking a shortcut to the George Washington Bridge from clogging their streets — a reality they say has gotten worse with the advent of wayfinding apps such as Google Maps.
Rosa, who lives in Edgewater, used Leonia roads to get home from Route 4, but says the ban has added from five to 20 minutes to her commute.
Legal observers predicted the plan would lead to litigation when the town announced the idea last month.
“Leonia is illegally trying to expand their municipal jurisdiction, and they are attempting to legislate on matters that are normally within the purview of the state of New Jersey,” said East Brunswick, NJ, lawyer Theodore Sliwinski, who is not involved in Rosa’s suit.
Mayor Judah Zeigler told NorthJersey.com he would not comment on pending litigation but argued he has not broken any laws.
“My job is to take action that I truly believe to be in the best interests of my constituents,” he said. “I’m not going to take actions that I believe are morally or legally wrong.”