You may think that a traffic violation is no big deal. After all, people get stopped for speeding, running red lights or missing stop signs fairly often. The reality is, though, that violating traffic laws can have an impact on your life. There are fines, and you may have points added to your license. If enough points add up, you could lose your license.
On top of that, if your violation harms another person or is severe enough, you could face additional issues such as criminal charges or personal injury lawsuits against you. That’s why it’s important to take your traffic violation seriously and to work with someone who can help you defend yourself.
How does the New Jersey point system work?
New Jersey has a points system that adds up over time. If you exceed 12 or more points in a year, you could lose your license.
Some of the points you could earn for traffic violations include:
- Moving against traffic (2 points)
- The unlawful use of a median strip (2 points)
- Failing to pass to the right of a vehicle heading in the opposite direction (5 points)
- Improper passing in no passing zones (4 points)
- Racing on a highway (5 points)
- Reckless driving (5 points)
- Personal injury (8 points)
- Careless driving (2 points)
- Using a handheld cellphone or other electronic device to communicate while driving (3 points, which are only assessed for a third offense within 10 years of a second).
- Speeding 30 mph or more over the limit (5 points)
As you can see, many different traffic violations come with points. Points aren’t good, because if you have enough of them in a short time frame, you could lose your license.
Offenses don’t necessarily only come with points, either. Take, for example, a personal injury violation. If you harm another person because of your driving behaviors, you could face a personal injury lawsuit from the injured party, points on your license and even criminal charges in some instances. You could see multiple violations add up against you, too. For instance, you could receive points for reckless driving, racing on a highway and for causing a personal injury, depending on the situation.
Any traffic violation should be defended against. Even if it seems minor now, these offenses can add up over time and affect you in a multitude of ways.