N.J. lawmaker: Penalize suspended drivers

TRENTON - State Senate President Richard J. Codey wants to penalize people who attempt to get a New Jersey driver's license while their license is suspended in another state.

Codey's proposal yesterday came after a drunk driver with a suspended New York license crashed into a police car and injured an officer Sunday on Long Island. Police say the man, Rahiem Griffin, obtained a New Jersey license by dropping his middle initial.

New York and New Jersey have an agreement to prevent either state from issuing a license to someone whose license was suspended in the other state. But Codey says the agreement doesn't carry a penalty.

A Codey spokeswoman said staff is researching what the proposed penalty might be.

- AP