Motor vehicle points can seem arbitrary until they start to cost you. Many car-related infractions that lead to a ticket will cost you a certain number of points. In New Jersey, if you accrue 12 or more points on your license, you will have your license suspended and no longer be able to drive. For this reason, many New Jersey residents hire a traffic ticket attorney for every infraction. Read below for the points and penalties for traffic violations.

Speeding

In the state of New Jersey, the speed limits are 25 MPH in locations where children are present, 35 MPH in suburban areas, and 50 MPH pretty much everywhere else unless noted otherwise. If you get a speeding ticket, you’ll be charged anywhere from $220-$260, depending on how far above the speed limit you are going. You will accrue 2-5 points on your license for each speeding ticket you get.

Unlawful Passing of a School Bus

When a school bus has stopped to pick up children, you cannot pass in your car; you must stay 25 feet behind the school bus to allow children to cross the street and board the bus. Only when the flashing red lights stop on the bus should you start driving again. If you pass a school bus while it is stopped, you could incur a $100 fine, 15 days of incarceration or community service, 5 points on your license, and 5 points on your insurance.

Tailgating

Did you know you can get a ticket for tailgating? If you drive too close to the car in front of you, you can be stopped by police. The “reasonable distance” between cars is a 2-second interval on dry roadways, 4 to 5 seconds on wet roadways, and 100ft for trucks. Tailgating can get you incarcerated up to 15 days, fined $85 ($140 if you are going 65+ miles per hour), 5 points on your license, and charged other fees that are deemed applicable.

Contact a Traffic Ticket Attorney

It’s important to note that all points accrued are cumulative. So, if you earn 2 points for speeding, 5 points for passing a bus, and 5 points for tailgating, your license will be suspended. No matter how small the violation, the points will count. Be proactive to keep them from accruing. Call Leon Matchin, a New Jersey traffic ticket attorney, at 732-887-2479, or email him at [email protected].