The best way to avoid getting a traffic ticket is avoid getting pulled over in the first place. In New Jersey there are a few tell tale ways to avoid getting pulled over and ticketed before a cop even spots a moving violation. Keep these in order and you may have a better chance of getting out of a ticket if you do get pulled over…

1. Keep your inspection sticker up to date. An out of date sticker is a big red flag waving “Pull me over and check me out”!

2. On that note, make sure your license is not expired and your car registration is up to date as well.

3. “Click it or Ticket” – Wear your seatbelt. Cops can see you and your passengers and can pull you over for it.

4. Get off the phone and drive. Talking on the cellphone is a first offense and can get you pulled over. Go hands-free or wait until you arrive at your destination. Same goes for texting, checking email, Facebook, etc…

5. Check your lights and cars exterior – you can get pulled over for a headlight or tail light out, driving with your headlights off at night or in the rain, etc.

2 Point Speeding Tickets
Exceeding maximum speed 1-14 mph over limit

4 Point Speeding Tickets
Exceeding maximum speed 15-29 mph over limit

5 Point Speeding Tickets
Exceeding maximum speed 30 mph or more over limit

The new law requires motor vehicle operators to reduce their speed and change lanes when approaching authorized vehicles displaying emergency lights. Such vehicles include police, fire and medical services vehicles, and also highway maintenance, tow trucks and official motorist aid vehicles displaying amber emergency lights. Where possible, drivers are required to move over to create an empty lane next to the emergency vehicle. When safely changing lanes is not possible, drivers must slow down below the posted speed limit prior to passing emergency vehicles. Drivers should also be prepared to stop, if necessary.

Fines for violating this law run from $100 to $500 and will be determined by the municipal court in which the violator is charged.

In New Jersey you will find many traffic circle intersections. A traffic circle or rotary is a type of circular intersection in which traffic must travel in one direction around a central island. Traffic entering the circle has the right-of-way and drivers in the circle must yield.

The NJ traffic rules are, there are no rules:

“There are not set rules for driving into, around and out of a traffic circle in New Jersey,” the manual states. “Common sense and precaution must prevail at all times.”

So it is important to know the basic rules of all traffic circles.

1. Before arriving at the traffic circle, figure out which exit you will be taking as it will determine which lane you should use. If you are using the first or second exit, stay on the outside of the circle. If you are making a left through the circle or doing an essential U turn, take the inside lane until the exit before you need to leave. You can exit a traffic circle from the inside lane if you make a lane change just before, check for traffic and use a signal.

2. Drivers in the left lane inside the circle have the right of way. Drivers in the right lane inside the circle should be exiting the circle. In point 1, I mentioned that you could use either lane to navigate the circle but that the left lane should be used if you are heading to an exit that is past the 2nd one. If you chose to use the right lane, you MUST yield to traffic that is in the left lane that need to exit the circle.

3. When entering the circle, wait for cars to pass and enter.

If you get confused try to remember this:
1. Cars on the inside lane of the circle (left lane) have right of way
2. Cars on the outside lane of the circle (right lane) must yield to cars on the inside of circle who are exiting
3. When entering a circle, yield to oncoming traffic.

Courtesy rules:

Being courteous means allowing for the ‘zipper’ effect for incoming circle traffic when it is sensible to do so.

HAND SIGNALS ARE YOUR FRIEND! Use them to wave people you are allowing into a circle but keep in mind they may see oncoming outer lane traffic they must yield to so if it takes longer than 3 seconds for them to respond or move just go and don’t hold up traffic trying to be polite.

Maintain your speed but don’t exceed 25mph around a traffic circle. WIth 12 different traffic flow options, speeding through a circle is a great way to get in an accident.

When in doubt, stay in the middle lane of a circle, the far right lane is for exiting, not cruising.

The best way to fight a speeding ticket is to not get one at all. One of the biggest hot zones is a school zone or around school busses.  Police will rarely write warning and judges are very strict about these tickets and not risking the lives of children.  Here are some school zone and school bus rules you should be aware of.

Do not pass or closely approach a school bus with flashing red lights.

School Buses

• All vehicles must stop for school buses at least 25 feet away on any public or private road (separated by lines)  or parking lot when a bus uses its flashing red lights or when it has stopped.
• Slow down to 10 mph if traveling on a dual highway, if on the opposite side of a safety island or a raised median.
• School buses are equipped with yellow, amber or red flashing lights. Yellow or amber lights before the bus stops, and red lights go on when it has stopped. Do not depend on these lights if traveling behind a school bus. These lights could be malfunctioning.
• When the bus stops, motorists traveling behind or approaching the bus must stop at least 25 feet from the school bus. Watch for children, and then proceed slowly, at 10 mph.
• If a school bus has stopped directly in front of a school to pick up or let off children, pass from either direction at no more than 10 mph.

The fines for the improper passing of a school bus are $102 to $252. A driver convicted of this offense can be sentenced to up to 15 days of jail, or 15 days of community service.

In most improper passing school bus cases, a driver will lose driving privlidges for 30 days. A driver is assessed five points for improperly passing a school bus.  In some cases it can be reduced to 2 points but a judge, but rarely if ever is a school bus passing offense reduce to zero points.

Rule of thumb – when in doubt … STOP!

Cell Phone Safety

Effective March 1, 2008 New Jersey law makes using a hand-held communications device a primary offense. Authorities will issue a $100 fine to any driver caught violating this law, although no points will be issued to the license. Although it is discouraged, drivers may use a hands-free device if it does not interfere with standard safety equipment. “Use” of a wireless phone and any other hand-held communication device includes, but is not limited to, talking or listening to another person, texting, or sending and receiving electronic messages.

A hand-held phone may be used for an emergency only and the driver must keep one hand on the wheel at all times. In an effort to increase safety on the roads, this law will be enforced. According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it is estimated that 25% of all police-reported traffic accidents are accountable to driving distraction from all sources, including cell phones.

Cell Phone Safety Tips:

1. Turn your phone off or put ring on silent to avoid the urge to answer.
2. Put your phone in a secure location that is easy to reach, in case of emergency.
3. Never dial while driving, move to a safe area off of the road.
4. Prior to driving, store important contact information in your phone.
5. Use a hands-free unit so that both of your hands are on the steering wheel at all times.
6. Become familiar with your phone’s speed dialing and voice-activation features to minimize dialing.
7. Prior to driving, set up your voice-mail to take messages.

1. Be nice to the police officer: Be nice to the officer… but don’t forget to argue, respectfully, when you know you’re right or if there is a legitimate reason or cause for the violation, such as avoiding an accident or not being able to see the light change ahead due to a large vehicle in front of you.  Police organization support stickers and cards help too.

2. Just Admit It: Admit what you did wrong if you’re the guilty party. For example,  if there is a family emergency and you are hurrying to get home, tell the officer – he/she may let you off and try to be helpful in the process.  But be honest.

Sometimes that won’t work, and you’ll find yourself in court anyway. If that’s the case…

3. Come prepared with evidence: One person got his ticket dropped thanks to proof shown on Google Maps; if traffic signs were obscured or damaged, your ticket might get dropped as well.

4. Talk to the prosecutor before court is in session: If you’re willing, you might be able to strike a deal where you can pay the fine without getting the points. You win some, you lose some.  You can also get a good attorney to fight for you.

5. Don’t violate any traffic laws in the first place and be familiar with NJ traffic laws.

And of course avoid the easy to get violations – not wearing your seat belt, talking on the phone, keep your car’s inspection and registration up to date.

Driving under the Influence and Driving while Intoxicated are serious violations in the State of New Jersey, and even though should you never drive under the influence or while intoxicated because it puts your life and the lives of other people at risk; there may be a day when your judgment is impaired and you find yourself driving under the influence and consequently, being pulled over by the Police.

It is important to note that intoxication in the State of New Jersey isn’t just alcohol intoxication, it can also be other substances that are illegal or prescribed. It is important to be prepared if you are charged with a DUI and/or DWI, because you can fight these charges in NJ. When charged with a DUI or DWI in NJ, you need a good lawyer who is knowledgeable in the criminal justice system.

If you are stopped by a Police Officer who suspects that you are under the influence in New Jersey, you will be required to carry out some road side tests. You may also be asked incriminating questions with no Miranda advisement of rights, and with no right to talk to an attorney. If the Police Officer thinks that you are under the influence, you will be arrested for a DUI and/or DWI in NJ.

Once you are arrested, you will be videoed at the police station, while you are questioned further. After you have been arrested, you will also be asked to undergo breath and blood tests, usually at the police station. A knowledgeable DUI/DWI defense attorney in New Jersey knows that sometimes the breathalyzers used are incorrect or unreliable, and that some of the Police Officers who use these devices are not familiar with the correct procedures. If the breathalyzer shows that you are over .08%, if there is a blood sample rejected, or you refuse to be tested, then you will be reported and the Police will remove your license and provide you with a Notice of Suspension.

When you choose an attorney to deal with your case, you need to choose someone who is properly educated, skilled and committed to fight your DUI and/or DWI charge in NJ. Going to court can be stressful, and you need to know that the lawyer defending you is experienced at defending DUI and DWI charges. Your lawyer needs to know when to stand up on your behalf, and when to negotiate.

Additionally, learn your case and take the time to fully understand your actual charges. When you go to court with the proper knowledge of the court procedures and the law, it will make you more prepared and the court will take you more seriously. It will also prepare you for the possible consequences, and how the outcome may affect you. If you invest the time and effort to study your legal needs, then it will help with any future proceedings. Conducting a Google search will provide resources that can give you pertinent knowledge pertaining to your case.

Additionally, make sure you dress appropriately for court by wearing business attire, i.e. a suit. Business attire portrays professionalism and reflects to the court that you are taking the charges seriously. Do not appear in court wearing jeans and a t-shirt, as this shows that you are not taking your DUI/DWI case seriously and that you are unprofessional.

Don’t be foolish and believe that you cannot defend against DUI and/or DWI charges that you may receive. Fighting a DUI/DWI in NJ will usually enable you to receive a reduction of charges and/or fines. The Judge will see that you have invested time and effort in your case and will probably look at your case with a little leniency, as compared to someone that doesn’t defend their case properly or take their case seriously.

Getting a Speeding Ticket in NJ can be a real hassle; instead of saving time by driving over the speed limit, when it comes down to it, you are doing the complete opposite. Speeding tickets mean time spent pulled over waiting for the Police Officer, a possible lengthy vehicle search, the cost of the speeding ticket, and of course, the rise in your car insurance premiums. There are ways, however, that you can go about fighting a Speeding Ticket in NJ.

First of all, never admit to your personal guilt of anything. Often times when you are pulled over, the first question the Officer will ask is how fast do you think you were going? Don’t incriminate yourself, if you admit to speeding at this point in the encounter, there really is no way of fighting it; in essence you’ve already plead guilty to the charge, and have no choice but to pay the ticket.

Instead of answering the Officer’s question with an admission of guilt, respond with a question of your own. Ask the Police Officer if he or she has your speed on radar, and ask him or her how fast you were going according to the radar. Sometimes Police Officers do not use radar at all; instead they may use their “keen eye” to spot potential speeders, and hope that when pulled over, the violator will foolishly admit to speeding.

If you and the Officer have moved past this stage and he or she has already given you a speeding ticket, the next best thing you can do is defend yourself in court. Sometimes, Police Officers will not show up when summoned for a court appearance, especially for something as mundane as a speeding ticket. After all, to appear in court, the Officer has to take time from work, just like you do; this really is the best way to fight any speeding ticket.

Sometimes you will get lucky and the Officer will simply let you go with a warning. Reasons for this vary, and in reality it seldom happens; one should never expect to be let off with only a verbal warning. You can improve your chances, however, by being polite to the Police Officer, cooperating with him or her, and providing all of the information and/or documentation that is required, such as your driver’s license and proof of insurance.