The Bottom Line is You Can Get a Ticket for Driving Slow
You might have good cause for driving slow. However, that doesn’t mean you still can’t get a ticket. After all, driving under the speed limit can cause its share of traffic issues. In fact, a number of motor vehicle accidents are actually attributable to drivers who just can’t keep up with traffic.
More than likely, you can guess. Excessive speeding is one of the most commonly prosecuted New Jersey motor vehicle offenses year after year. All things considered, speeding tickets are big moneymakers for city coffers. Additionally, when it comes to speeding, there are graduated levels. For example, there are more penalties associated with going five miles over the posted speed limit than there are with traveling greater than fifteen miles over it.
Meanwhile, that’s not the case with driving too slow. However, if you’re in the left lane on one of New Jersey’s major highways, the frustration of other drivers may turn into a traffic citation in your name.
Whether they’re simply nervous, distracted, trying to block a speeding driver or anything else, it’s very possible for drivers to find themselves on the wrong side of the law for driving too slow.
What the Law Says about Driving Too Slow
First, it may be a long time since you took driver’s education classes and learned the law regarding driving under the speed limit. For that reason, you may want to take a look at NJSA 39:4-97.1, which states the following:
“No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.”
When you read the actual language of the law, you can see that there are exceptions when it comes to reducing speed. As a result, an experienced traffic tickets attorney may be able to produce evidence that the reason you slowed down was for safety reasons.
Meanwhile, you should also keep in mind that a citation for driving slow is a moving violation. This can be important for a number of reasons. Your attorney will want to know the reason you were driving below the speed limit as it may help your case.
Common Reasons Given for Reduced Speed
More than likely, if you were driving slowly, you did so for a reason. Candidly, in some circumstances, it may have everything to do with your age. If you’re young and inexperienced, you might feel more comfortable driving at a slower rate of speed. At the same time, some older drivers are intimidated with going fast. Some other reasons for driving slow include:
- Distracted driving: Driver is texting or involved in a conversation
- Impaired driving: Driver is impaired and decides that driving slow is a better option
- Fear of changing lanes: Driver is afraid to move to the right of traffic
- Mechanical issues: Driver is worried about accelerating due to mechanical failures
- Health problems: Driver is experiencing a medical emergency or even sight issues.
If you have been charged with driving too slow, you should advise your attorney why you did so. Obviously, if an impediment in the road was an issue, you should also alert legal counsel.
Penalties for Driving Too Slow
If you think that excessively slow driving is no big deal, think again. At the very least, the fine for driving too slow and impeding traffic is $85. Additionally, you can count on two points on your driving record. These infractions can quickly pile up, leading to surcharge fees, hikes on your insurance premium and even cause you to lose your license.
In an effort to save your license from needlessly accumulating points, you should contact an experienced New Jersey motor vehicle violations attorney to help you figure out your options and determine your best course of action. This may seem like an infraction you can handle, but these tickets can quickly pile up and cause you undue headaches.
Get Beninato and Matrafajlo in Your Corner Today
Without question, you want to avoid high costs and lower your risk of points on your license. Contact the experienced New Jersey traffic attorneys at Beninato and Matrafajlo so we can help you figure out your legal strategy and what we can do for you. We offer free, no-obligation consultations.