Getting behind the wheel comes with a lot of responsibility. There are rules of the road that exist to help everyone stay safe. One key rule is speed limits. These tell drivers the maximum speed allowed on each road.
If you drive faster than the posted speed limit, a police officer may pull you over. You’ll get a paper called a speeding ticket. This means you have to pay money as punishment for breaking the speed rule.
How much you pay depends on how much faster you drive than allowed. Just a little over the limit is less money. But very fast, people over the limit get fined more money. Speeding tickets can also add bad points to your driving history. Too many points might cause you to lose your driver’s license.
This article explains New Jersey’s fines and points in easy ways. It also shares tips to help avoid penalties if you get a speeding ticket. Let’s get to it!
| Speed Over Limit | Fine | Points |
| 1-9 mph | $85 | 2 |
| 10-14 mph | $95 | 2 |
| 15-19 mph | $105 | 4 |
| 20-24 mph | $200 | 4 |
| 25-29 mph | $220 | 4 |
| 30-34 mph | $240 | 5 |
| 35-39 mph | $260 | 5 |
Tiered Fine Structure for Speeding
New Jersey uses a tiered system for speeding ticket fines. The faster you’re going, the more you’ll pay. Here’s what you need to know:
- If they catch you driving 1-9 mph too fast, you’ll owe $85.
- 10-14 mph over the limit costs $95.
- Driving 15-19 mph over means a $105 fine for you.
- For speeds 20-24 mph over, get ready to pay $200.
- Going 25-29 mph over will hit you with a $220 fine.
- 30-34 mph too fast will set you back $240.
- And 35-39 mph over the limit leads to a $260 ticket.
But that’s not all. If you’re speeding in a school zone or construction zone, these fines are doubled. The same goes for 65+ mph zones when you exceed the limit by 10 mph or more. This means a simple speeding ticket could cost you over $500!
Additional Penalties for Specific Zones
It’s crucial to be extra careful in certain areas:
- School zones: Fines are doubled here.
- Construction zones: Again, expect to pay twice the regular fine.
- 65+ mph zones: If you’re going 10 mph or more over the limit, your fine will be doubled.
What if you’re pushing it? You’ll have to appear in court if you go 40 mph over the speed limit. This could mean even higher fines and more severe penalties.
Strategies to Avoid Points on Speeding Tickets
Let’s discuss how to avoid points from a New Jersey speeding ticket. There are smart tactics to guard your driving history. They also prevent your insurance bills from rapidly rising. We’ll outline effective ideas you can use.
Defensive Driving Courses
Taking a defensive driving course can help you remove points from your record. Here’s what you need to know:
- You can remove up to 2 points.
- This option is available once every 5 years.
- You must take a state-approved course.
- Online courses cost between $14.90 and $39.95.
- You might get up to a 10% insurance discount for 3 years as a bonus.
Plea Bargaining to Unsafe Driving
Another option to consider is negotiating your ticket down to a non-point violation. In New Jersey, this often means pleading to “unsafe driving” under N.J.S.A. 39:4-97.2. While this option typically comes with higher fines, it can be a smart move in the long run.
- You can plead to unsafe driving under N.J.S.A. 39:4-97.2.
- This comes with higher fines but no insurance impact.
- You’re limited to using this option twice in 5 years.
Fighting the Ticket in Court
If you believe you’ve been unfairly ticketed, you can challenge the evidence in court:
- You might question the accuracy of the radar gun or speed limit signage.
- Hiring an experienced traffic attorney can increase your chances of success.
- While it might cost more upfront, it could save you hundreds or thousands in the long run.
Real-World Impact of Speeding Tickets in NJ
Speeding tickets cost more than the first fine. They raise your insurance for years. If you go to court or get too many points, other fees happen too. Knowing these long-term costs can help you decide how to handle the ticket wisely.
Insurance Premium Increases
A big future expense from a NJ speeding ticket is higher car insurance. On average, expect a 20-30% increase in your rates per ticket. This added cost lasts 3-5 years too. It’s not a short spike. So speeding even once hits your wallet hard for years through pricier insurance payments.
- On average, expect a 20% to 30% increase per ticket.
- This increase can last for 3-5 years.
- For full coverage insurance, the average increase is about 9%.
Additional Costs
There are extra costs, too, beyond the fine and insurance hikes. If you fight the ticket in court, New Jersey charges you fees to hear your case. We’ll break down what you owe the court if you contest it.
- Court fees: $34 for contested tickets.
- Surcharges: $150 plus $25 per point over 6 points.
Minimizing Speeding Ticket Impact
To wrap up, let’s recap some proactive measures you can take:
- Check your driving record regularly, every 6-12 months.
- Enrol in a defensive driving course for potential insurance discounts.
- Understand speed detection technology to identify potential speed traps.
If you do get a ticket, act quickly:
- Document all details within 24 hours.
- Consider consulting with a traffic attorney.
- Remember, most courts require a response within 14 days of ticket issuance.
You can protect your driving record and wallet by understanding NJ speeding ticket fines and knowing how to avoid points on a speeding ticket in NJ. Stay informed, drive safely, and remember that following the speed limit is the best way to avoid speeding tickets.