Following last week’s deadly crash at a Lavallette restaurant that killed a Toms River woman and injured seven others, state Senator Jim Holzapfel (R-Tom River) said today he will introduce legislation requiring restaurants with outdoor dining areas located near active roadways to install protective barriers between diners and vehicle traffic.
Holzapfel, who represents parts of Monmouth and Ocean counties, said the proposed legislation would establish a basic safety requirement for restaurants that offer outdoor dining directly adjacent to roadways.
“Outdoor dining is a great part of what makes our shore communities special, but we have to make sure it’s safe,” Holzapfel said in a statement. “If a restaurant wants to offer dining directly next to an active roadway, there should be a basic safety requirement for protective bollards or other approved barriers between diners and traffic so a simple meal out doesn’t suddenly turn to tragedy.”
According to Lavallette police, a 93-year-old woman was attempting to park outside the restaurant shortly after 11 a.m. Saturday when she accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake. The vehicle traveled into the restaurant’s outdoor dining area and then into the building.
A 56-year-old Toms River woman, identified as Ursula Keating, was killed in the crash. Seven other restaurant patrons were injured and transported to the hospital. The driver suffered minor injuries.
Keating was the wife of Silverton Volunteer Fire Company Chief John Keating. Her death prompted an outpouring of support from fire departments and first responders throughout the area.
Holzapfel’s proposed legislation would address the issue statewide by requiring protective bollards or other approved barriers for qualifying outdoor dining areas located near active roadways.
Details of Holzapfel’s legislation, including the specific types of restaurants and outdoor dining areas that would be covered and the standards for approved barriers, are expected to be outlined when the bill is formally introduced.
The Lavallette crash remains under investigation.
Fix the cause instead of the accident part. A 93 yr old should NOT be driving. Make legislation for THAT instead.
Both are a problem.
Retest all bad driver’s, no matter their age!
There are various laws in various states. License renewal is typically every eight years for all. Some require in-person renewal after a certain age. Nineteen states require vision tests with the renewal after a certain age.
Texas and Indiana require renewal every 2 years at age 85+, Missouri every 3 years at age 70.
Obviously, people should self-evaluate, and family members and friends should take note, and help out. Remember, you may be saving the person – and others – from serious harm and/or legal issues.
It is also important for family members to be available to help drive seniors in their golden years, so that they don’t feel constrained, and they retain a sense of pride that they can get around – especially when they see people are vying to help them out, so they don’t feel a burden.
All this is done much, and we should just keep it up and do it more.
Group busses/vans from senior communities to shopping centers are pretty standard.
I haven’t taken an age survey regarding drivers but there seems to be many more younger, inexperienced driver’s getting into accidents & those driver’s need to have their driving abilities retested
For the elderly, it can be errors, and for the young, it can be over-self-confidence!
About 35 % of all senior citizens have eye issues.
The problem is that many seniors need some type of an eye surgery and their appointment is in 4 months.
They should not be driving until they get their surgery.
Senior Driver License Renewal Rules: All 50 States (2026)
Also includes tips for having conversations – how to go about it
I agree that some people should be rested so what’s the problem? This is getting out of control
I think you meant to say ‘…should be retested’
They should be retested when is this going to pass in Nj ?
Nanny state strikes again. Not every tragedy needs a law.
How abt having mandatory that when u turn 80 u need another road test end if story