Traffic tickets are given out pretty liberally. In fact, most New Jersey residents will be cited with at least one ticket over the course of their lifetime. When the average driver gets cited, they're primarily concerned with the financial issues tickets create - it's just another fee to pay on top of your their other piling expenses. But what most aren't aware of is how this ticket will affect them in the grand scheme of things.
Choosing to bite the bullet and pay a ticket each and every time is detrimental. Some drivers have learned the hard way that society's expeditious method of mitigating traffic violations comes with steep consequences. Traffic tickets are overall perceived as a minor offense. But getting one too many can turn a seemingly harmless situation into a serious legal debacle. Because of traffic tickets alone, some motorists have experienced damaging penalties, ranging from skyrocketing insurance premiums to the loss of their driving privileges.
If you have been cited with a serious traffic violation, or have acquired one too many, you should consult with an experienced attorney. In the meantime, we'll give you some insight as to how the traffic ticket system works.
New Jersey's Point System
New Jersey motorists adhere to a point system that is regulated by the state's Department of Transportation, known as NJDOT. The point system is designed to account for the driving records of licensed motorists in the state by keeping track of violations and infractions.
Each time a motorist is found guilty of a traffic offense, a series of “points” will be marked on his or her driving record. The number of points designated depends on the severity of the traffic offense. For example, if you are caught tailgating by the police, five points will be added to your record. While the violation of “moving against traffic” will only result in adding two points to your record.
Moving and Non-moving Violations
Motorists are typically cited with two types of violations: moving and non-moving violations.
A moving violation is exactly what it sounds like. It's a ticket that is administered when a traffic law is violated while a vehicle is in motion. These types of tickets are given out more frequently than non-moving violations. Some of which include, speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and running a red light.
A non-moving violation, on the other hand, is a traffic violation that is committed when a car is not in motion. Examples include having an expired license, leaving a vehicle unattended while it is running, or parking in a no parking zone.
Below is a short list of some of the more common violations in New Jersey along with the points assigned to them.
|
Traffic offense |
# of Points |
|
Disregarding traffic signs or signals |
2 |
|
Speeding 1-14 MPH over the limit |
2 |
|
Speeding 15-20 MPH over the limit |
4 |
|
Speeding 30 MPH or more over the limit |
5 |
|
Causing an accident resulting in injury |
8 |
|
Reckless/aggressive driving |
5 |
|
Passing in a No Passing Zone |
4 |
|
Racing on highway |
5 |
|
Failure to stop a vehicle before crossing sidewalk |
2 |
|
Wrong way on a one-way street |
2 |
The Consequences of Ticket Points
Tickets don't just stay on your driving record and disappear after a few years. As tickets accrue and points begin to rack up, the consequences will get more severe. Keeping a driving record is the state's way of determining what kind of driver you are, and being deemed a reckless driver can end up costing you a great deal in the long run.
If you accumulate excessive points on your record, extra fines and penalties are imposed on top of a ticket. This is known as a surcharge. If you receive six or more points within three years, a surcharge will be incurred. This costly fee is charged annually.
If you receive 12 or more points on your record at any point in time your driver's license will be suspended. Temporarily losing your driving privileges is a massive inconvenience. You will have to find a way to get to work, school, and run simple errands that you take for granted now. So, knowing your point total is vital to avoid this predicament.
An additional consequence of traffic tickets is high insurance. When you are cited with a ticket, your insurance company immediately gets notified. You may be perceived as a “high-risk driver” in the eyes of your company, and seen as a liability. Consequently, they will raise your rates to accommodate your new risk status.
Fighting A Traffic Ticket in New Jersey
If you've received a traffic violation, don't just let it go. Avoid insurance spikes, surcharges, and the loss of your driving privileges by contacting an attorney. Getting points that are already on your record off of your record is a difficult task, that is why you should prevent them from accruing to begin with. Hiring an attorney is a surefire of doing that.
New Jersey Criminal Defense Attorney
As you can see, getting a traffic ticket can expose you to damaging legal and financial consequences. If you are contemplating going to court to challenge a ticket, you need an attorney who will fiercely advocate for you at every point of the legal process. With over 15 years of trial experience, Joseph D. Lento has protected the interests of regular motorists and commercial drivers alike with an aggressive defense, and he can do the same for you. For a consultation, contact him today at 888-535-3686.
