Lt. Gov. signs ‘Nikhil’s Law’ in Randolph

RANDOLPH – Sunil Badlani put it bluntly Tuesday morning at the Motor Vehicle Commission in Randolph.

“While no one gets behind the wheel and says ‘I want to kill someone,’’ he said, “The minute you drop your guard and drive distracted, a killer you become.”

It’s been more than four years since his 11-year-old son Nikhil was killed in a car crash and Tuesday morning Acting Gov. Kim Guadagno signed a bill to prevent something similar from happening in the future.

“I’m sure Nikhil is smiling down right now and happy to see progress,” Sunil Badlani said. “But something tells me he’d rather be here witnessing this bill being signed.”

Nikhil Badlani was killed in a car crash just two miles from his home in West Orange in 2011 when another car with a distracted driver failed to stop at a stop sign and hit the car he was riding in.

“How does that ever leave your consciousness?” said Former Gov. Richard Codey, on hand to show support for the bill. “This loss is just tragic, and every time this family does something, they’re reminded of it.”

An emotional Sunil Badlani called the signing of Nikhil’s Law bittersweet. He said he hopes the law changes people’s behaviors by offering “a carrot not a stick,” rewarding instead of punishing.

Pushed forward by Assemblyman John McKeon and unanimously passed through the state Assembly and Senate, Nikhil’s Law requires the Motor Vehicle Commission inform teenage drivers or the dangers of distracted driving in the driver’s manual and in the driver’s license examination.

It also gives them the option to take the "STOP for Nikhil Safety Pledge" when getting their licenses.

The principles of the pledge are to obey traffic laws, come to a complete stop at stops signs and red traffic lights, stay alert, talk safely, and plan ahead before driving.

“To lose a loved one due to the negligence of someone else's action is devastating,” Nikhil’s mother Sangeeta Badlani said. “We continue to grieve for Nikhil… we have a void in our heart. Think of the families like us when you fail to obey traffic laws.”

Guadagno, the lieutenant governor but acting governor while Gov. Christie is out of state, shared the troubling statistics after signing the bill. She said that in 2014 there were 265,000 traffic crashes, nearly 76,000 traffic injuries, and 556 deaths on New Jersey roadways.

“I wish I didn’t have to be here today, but these statistics are unacceptable,” Guadagno said, thanking the Badlani’s for helping pass the law. “They opened a wound to save other people. Their son is not a simple statistic. Every child, including my own, will take this pledge.”

Guadagno was previously at the Randolph Motor Vehicle Commission in February to announce the start of the “Just Drive” campaign to stop talking and texting while driving.

“Like the Badlani family, I wish I didn’t need to be here today. We all wish we could prevent every car accident, every serious injury, every fatality. We know that we can’t, but that doesn’t mean we won’t try,” Guadagno said. “A moment of caution can make all the difference. This bill will send Nikhil’s message to not just our youngest drivers, but all of our drivers. And, hopefully, the Badlanis’ tragedy will help prevent other families from enduring such hardships.”

AAA spokesperson Cathleen Lewis shared National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, including a study of nearly 10,000 fatalities that occurred at traffic signals. Of those, 20 percent failed to obey the signal and 13 percent failed to yield the right of way.

She also said an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study found that of the 700,000 crashes that occurred at stop signs over a four-year period, 70 percent of them were caused by stop sign violators.

“Too often driving becomes a secondary activity and young drivers are disproportionately the violators,” Lewis said. “I thank the Badlani family for choosing to use their voices to make our roadways safe.”

Randolph police and council members, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and elected officials showed their support for the bill.

“This is an opportunity for us all to do a better job to prevent this tragedy from happening again,” Morris County Undersheriff William Schievella said.

Assemblyman Anthony Bucco similarly praised the legislation.

“Today more than ever distractions on the road are numerous,” Bucco said. “Anything we can do to protect drivers is a great thing for the mobile public.”

Members of the foundation wore bright blue shirts Tuesday that said “STOP means Stop” and “Drive Smart, Save a Life.”

Nikhil’s friend Divya Anand received a loud ovation after speaking about the fun times they shared together in school, providing some insight into the 11-year-old boy, who was a talented musician before the crash.

Anand, 16, specifically mentioned Nikhil’s love and vast knowledge of animals and the meaningful talks they shared.

“We had deeper conversations at 10 years old then 90 percent of my conversations now at 16,” Anand said.

The Nikhil Badlani Foundation provides free music lessons and academic scholarships to underserved children in West Orange and neighboring communities. The foundation also raises traffic safety awareness by partnering with state and local authorities.

A walk to benefit the Nikhil Badlandi Foundation will be held Sept. 20 at West Orange High School.

Go to http://nikhilbadlanifoundation.org/ to learn more about the Nikhil Badlani Foundation.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com

“STOP for Nikhil Safety Pledge”

"In order to ensure the safety of others on the road, passengers in my car, and myself as a driver, I pledge to obey traffic laws while operating a motor vehicle, be extra cautious, and be attentive to traffic signs and signals and road conditions. Specifically:

"I will come to a complete stop at every 'stop' sign or red traffic light, and will not proceed through a red traffic light;

"I will stay alert, keep two hands on the steering wheel whenever possible, and keep my mind on the road;

"I will talk safely by using a hands-free wireless telephone while driving if I am of lawful age to do so and refrain from texting while driving; and

"I will plan ahead and leave enough time to arrive at my destination."