There are a few ways you can detect a speed trap and avoid or prepare for them.

1. Trapster is a mobile app where users share real time information. See Trapster.com

2.   Use a Radar Detector.  (If your state allows them).

3.  Watch other drivers – if they are slowing down for no apparent reason, there may be a speed trap ahead.

4.  Be aware of speed limit changes.  Cops often wait for drivers that fail to recognize speed limit changes, especially when a road expands to more lanes yet the limit decreases.

5.  Use caution on national holidays and around major events – where people gather, so do police.

6.   School zones are the number one hot spot for speed traps.

7.  Take note where you see a speed trap, odds are it will reappear often.

8.  If another driver flashes their headlights at you, it may be a courteous way of saying there is a cop fishing for speeders ahead.  Raise your awareness.

9.  Be aware when coming around sharp turns or cresting on a hill, when you can’t see the road ahead.  Cops know you can’t see them by the time they radar you.

10.  When going from a rural road into town or to a populated area, always watch for speed traps.

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.

Many people want to know how to fight a traffic ticket, but they usually try to do it themselves. The best way to fight a traffic ticket is by hiring a traffic ticket attorney. Traffic Ticket Attorneys specialize in fighting traffic tickets for speeding, improper turns, accidents and other infractions. Before going to court to fight the ticket, you should contact an attorney and find out what your outcome could possibly be if you were to hire him or her.

There is one thing that a person can do for themselves at the time a traffic ticket is being issued; take down notes that will help the traffic ticket attorney defend your case. Note the time of day, the weather conditions, and where the sun is if it is an accident. Note the speed limit sign and where it is located to where you were stopped. If it is an accident, make sure to survey the area and the other car.

Drivers can do one thing to help in any situation.

Carry a disposable camera in the glove box. If something were to happen, you will have a camera to take pictures that might help with your case. Sometimes, a driver cannot see things in the pictures that an attorney can see. Traffic Ticket Attorneys are trained to look for the obvious and work from there.

If you feel your speedometer was correct and the Officer that stopped you was wrong, take your car immediately to a garage and have the speedometer read. This information will help an attorney defend you in a case where a speeding ticket was issued.

Okay, you ran that stop sign, failed to yield, sped in a school zone, and had a broken tail light; then to top it off, you forgot your wallet at home and your insurance card is expired! To make matters worse, because you argued with the Officer, or he was having a bad day, you were cited for every single offense.

So, do you pay the fines, or take your chances in Traffic Ticket Court? Your best bet is to go to court with a competent Traffic Ticket Attorney. When I was 18 and received my first traffic ticket for speeding, I made the mistake of just paying for the fines through the mail; and then found out from an angry phone call from my mother, that I received 4 points on my license and her insurance rate went up. The next ticket I received, several months later, I fought and received no points; but I did have to pay a fine (which is minimal compared to what your insurance company charges for having points on your license).

Additionally, you never know what the Judge will order, or what the District Attorney may offer you. Usually, at the very least, they will let you pay a reduced fine for not having the proper documentation at the time of the incident, if you bring the proper documentation with you to court. Can’t afford to pay the fine? Community Service and payment plans are also options.

In addition, if the Officer fails to show up at your trial, they may drop the charges altogether. However, in most cases, the charges are reduced, and sometimes even dropped, even if the Officer appears in court.

If you decide to fight a traffic ticket there are a few things you should do immediately. First, when confronted by a Police Officer, remain calm and polite. Next, you should never admit to any negligent or criminal act. If you admit guilt at the time, such as saying you were speeding, it will be much harder to fight the ticket later. Finally, take notes and record any pertinent information. For example, ask the Officer for the specifics of how he established the speed you were driving, or what law you broke. If there is physical evidence such as a speed limit sign that is clearly obstructed by foliage or paint, take a picture of the sign.

There are several instances when a traffic ticket attorney would be beneficial in your quest to fight a traffic ticket. If you are out of your home state and receive a traffic ticket, it may be inconvenient or even impossible for you to travel back to the state that issued the ticket to appear in court. If this is the case, then a traffic ticket attorney could attend the court proceedings and plead your case for you. Even if you are close to home, there are some serious traffic tickets that it is best to hire a traffic ticket attorney for. If you have received a ticket for driving under the influence, an attorney is almost always needed. Additionally, tickets issued for accidents and driving without a license are more complicated, and a traffic ticket attorney can help you throughout the process of reversing or reducing your ticket.

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.

It eventually happens to every one of us. Those blue and red lights appear behind us as we are driving along, seemingly minding our own business. When that moment does come, we are often lost in confusion and set into a panic. Whether you are pulled over on a NJ highway, or a small country road, there are steps that everyone should follow. Whether it be a NJ traffic ticket or other infraction, it is possible to minimize or avoid a negative outcome completely, by following the steps below:

1. Pull Over. As soon as you see emergency lights, or hear a siren behind you, pull over to the side of the road as safely and quickly as possible. Keep in mind, initially, the Police Officer may be going to another emergency and is not pulling you over. However, if you think you may have committed a traffic violation, pull over and stop completely. Be sure to look for an area that does not obscure traffic. If possible, pull off far enough out of the flow of traffic, so the Officer is not in danger of being struck by other vehicles. Also, try and find a lit or visible area, especially if you are in a rural or dark area, and use turn signals to indicate your intent to pull over. Do not coast. Come to a stop as soon as possible. If you do not, it may result in the Officer being unsure of your actions and suspect that you may have something to hide.

2. Keep your hands visible and do not make any quick or excessive movements. Officers are trained to suspect the worse and act accordingly. Irrational actions often receive strict reactions from Officers. Most likely the Officer does not know you, especially if you are in an urban area or where there is high traffic, like the NJ turnpike. Excessive movements may cause the Officer to believe you have something to hide and may put the Officer on high alert.

3. Be Polite. Even if you will be late, can’t afford another traffic ticket, or have to use the bathroom, etc…, you must treat the Officer in a polite and respectful manner. Being nervous is fine, but rude is not. You do not have to smile, but saying “sir,” “ma’am,” “please,” and “thank you,” can go a long way. If you show respect you should receive it in return. Above all, never curse. That is one of the biggest forms of disrespect, even if it is in your regular vocabulary, it is not respectful to others, especially to an Officer.

4. Follow Instructions. If the Officer wants you to get out of the vehicle, he will tell you; otherwise, stay in your vehicle. If the Officer asks to see your license and registration, by law you must identify these documents to him or her. When you do not follow instructions, it leads to arguments and foul tempers on both sides; which may lead to leniency with the Officer and possibly even the Judge. Failure to follow instructions almost always results in a traffic ticket, rather than a warning, or sometimes even more serious consequences.

6. Do not lie or make excuses. Honesty goes a lot further than a quickly hatched excuse. Police Officers can easily detect lies, not only by what you say, but by your body language, and by asking various questions to see if you have inconsistent answers. If you lie to an Officer once, no matter how small of a lie it may be, it makes the Officer suspicious of your behavior, and anything else you say after that point will be viewed as a lie in the Officer’s opinion.

7. Talk as little as possible. Do not give elaborate stories or excuses, especially if you are hiding details. If you do not want to get caught in a lie (see step 6), than include as little details as possible. Some people also talk a lot when they are nervous. If you remember to try and keep your answers short and simple, you may appear more calm and collected. Also, remember that everything you say from the moment the Officer approaches your car, may be admissible in a New Jersey Court of Law. Additionally, silence is not an admission of guilt, but may result in the Officer being more suspicious and less accommodating.

It seems like a lot to keep in mind; but in reality, you just need to remember to be polite and respectful to the Officer, while saying as little as possible. If you find yourself facing a traffic ticket in New Jersey, the steps above, should help minimize any consequences you may encounter.

You’re driving down the street and suddenly you notice the lights flashing in your rearview mirror. You’ve been pulled by a Police Officer for an offense for which you don’t think you are guilty. Was that light really red? When did that stop sign go in? Is the elementary school really in session at 7 p.m., requiring the need for reduced speed “while children are present?”

Often receiving a traffic ticket is a black and white offense. You knew what you were doing (racing to work, talking on your cell phone without a hands-free device, or cruising through a stop sign), and while a smile and apology might get you a warning once in awhile, the probable outcome is a traffic ticket.

Sometimes, however, the situation is not so clear cut. If the violation seems unclear, it is worth looking into further. Offenses which rely solely on the Officer’s judgment or visual range, were a result of a recent change in signage or truck blockage, or were created due to a natural obstacle, such as swerving to avoid an animal in the street, can be challenged.

This requires a careful look at the situation on your part, perhaps even a consultation with a traffic ticket attorney. If you “need” to fight the ticket because of concerns relating to insurance rates, or DMV and court records and want the best chance of dismissal, a traffic ticket attorney may be the best way to go.

If you just want to “try” to fight the ticket, self representation is not a bad idea. Make sure you bring any photos or professional looking intersection drawings that you can create to add credibility to your viewpoint. Consider the small factors, such as paint erosion or new signage. Relive the experience – were you speeding because you were experiencing chest pain and were trying to get to the hospital? Did you ask the Officer for help and receive a rebuff?

All these factors add up and can make or break your judgment. Hopefully you won’t find yourself in need of this advice for a very long time. Drive safe and good luck.