traffic violations

When you think of traffic violations, you probably think of getting a small ticket and then moving on. However, there are a couple of traffic violations that have harsher penalties. If you are charged with a traffic violation, contact a New Jersey attorney, such as Leon Matchin, as soon as possible. By studying the details of the situation, he can potentially get the charges downgraded and dismissed. Here are two traffic penalties with surprisingly harsh penalties in New Jersey.

Tailgating

According to N.J.S.A 39:4-89, tailgating is “the unlawful following of another vehicle more closely than reasonable, taking into account the speed of the vehicles, road conditions, and amount of traffic.” The stated reasonable distance is a two-second interval space between vehicles on dry roads and a four- to five-second interval space on wet roads. You probably see tailgaters all the time out on the roads. Did you know that if you are pulled over for tailgating you could receive incarceration for up to 15 days? Penalties also include an $85 fine, which can be bumped up to $140 if you were traveling in a 65 MPH spot or a construction zone. In addition, drivers will receive 5 MVC points, and other fees and assessments depending on the court.

Improper Passing of a School Bus

N.J.S.A 39:4-128:1 states that it is unlawful to pass a stopped school bus with flashing lights. The driver must stop their car 25 feet from the school bus in order to abide by this law. New Jersey takes this law very seriously because if broken, it can put the lives of children in danger. The penalties for breaking this law are harsh. First, the driver will receive a fine of at least $100. Second, they may receive jail time of up to 15 days or 15 days of community service. The driver will also get 5 MVC points and 5 insurance points for breaking this law.

Contact A New Jersey Attorney For Help With Traffic Violations Charges

While it may seem like a simple traffic violation at the time, getting charged with tailgating or improper passing of a school bus are both unlawful acts that have severe penalties. If you find yourself in a situation where you have received one of these charges, call your local New Jersey attorney, Leon Matchin. He has many years of experience defending people with similar charges. Call Leon Matchin at 732-887-2479 or contact him via email at [email protected] for more information about traffic violation charges and the associated penalties.