Moving violations are offenses that occur while your vehicle is in motion, such as running a red light and reckless driving. Most speeding and moving violations are not considered crimes, but infractions. These infractions are also called ‘citations,’ which are usually minor offenses that are charged against the driver and result in penalties and monetary fines.
New Jersey law enforcement, like many states, is aggressive when it comes to speeding and moving violations. A conviction may carry a large fine and increase in insurance rates.
Dangers of Speeding
Driving over the speed limit, which is the maximum speed considered safe in regard to traffic and road conditions, is illegal and dangerous. Speeding is a major factor in many vehicle accidents and has led to deaths for drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians. In 2022, the New Jersey State Police reported 654 crashes and 697 fatalities. As of the writing of this blog, New Jersey has reported 102 fatalities so far in 2023.
Penalties for speeding can include two to five points on your license. The DMV Driver Violation Point System is a method to identify and take action against high-risk drivers by assigning points for certain traffic violations. Points on your license can last for years, causing an increase in your insurance payments and possible state surcharges, which further increases your costs. A 2-point infraction is incurred for exceeding the speed limit by between 1 and 14 miles per hour. In New Jersey, a 4-point infraction is committed when you exceed the speed limit by 15 to 30 miles per hour. Speeding by more than 30 mph over the posted limit is a 5-point infraction that could result in a reckless driving ticket. If you receive 6 or more points, you will be charged an additional fee. Your license will be suspended if you receive 12 or more points on your driving record. As penalties escalate, you may need an attorney, like Andrew Maze, who is experienced in traffic violations.
Other Moving Violations
Speeding isn’t the only offense that results in a citation and penalties. Depending on the jurisdiction for similar violations, a monetary fine can range from $25 to $1,000. Moving violations may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Driving without a license or with a suspended license
- Driving without insurance
- Failure to obey a traffic light
- Failure to stop at a stop sign
- Failure to use a turn signal
- Failure to yield to a pedestrian
- Failure to yield for an emergency vehicle
- Improper lane usage
- Failure to wear a seat belt
- Distracted driving, such as phone use
These moving violations also can result in points and fines, depending on the severity of the offense. A DUI (driving under the influence) offense, for example, carries many more penalties, such as points, heavy fines, and possible jail time, than other citations.
Plea Bargains
A traffic violations attorney can often reduce a ticket to a lower offense if the person charged agrees to plead guilty. This helps avoid complications in court. The Law Office of Andrew Maze has over 25 years of experience in negotiating violations down to a lesser offense and possibly reducing or eliminating license points. Andrew Maze fully understands all aspects of these legal issues and will skillfully represent your interests in a plea bargain or in court.