Following a deadly crash at a Lavallette restaurant over the weekend, Ocean County State Senator Jim Holzapfel announced Tuesday that he plans to introduce legislation requiring additional safety protections for outdoor dining areas located directly alongside active roadways.

Holzapfel, who represents New Jersey’s 10th Legislative District, which includes portions of Ocean and Monmouth counties, said the proposed legislation would require restaurants with roadside outdoor dining to install protective bollards or other approved barriers designed to shield customers from vehicles.

“Outdoor dining is a great part of what makes our shore communities special, but we have to make sure it’s safe,” Holzapfel said, adding that dining areas immediately adjacent to active roads should have basic protective barriers separating customers from traffic.

The proposal comes days after Lakewood Alerts reported on the deadly crash in Lavallette, where a 93-year-old driver crashed into the outdoor dining area of Meg’s Grill on Route 35 North on Saturday morning.

Police said the driver was attempting to park when she apparently pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, sending the vehicle through the outdoor dining area and into the restaurant. A 56-year-old Toms River woman was killed and seven other patrons were injured.

Holzapfel said the Lavallette tragedy highlights the need for physical protections between traffic and customers seated in roadside dining areas. His office said he intends to formally introduce the legislation in the New Jersey Senate.