Exceeding the speed limit on a highway in New Jersey is one of the most commonly ticketed traffic offenses, and most people, even if they have not received speeding tickets themselves, probably know someone who has.A less common New Jersey traffic violation, but one that is illegal nonetheless, is driving too slowly.
NJSA 39:4-97.1 states, “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.”
Unlike NJSA 39:4-98, which prescribes a certain set of penalties for going one mile per hour over the speed limit and another set for going 30 miles per hour over the speed limit, NJSA 39:4-97.1 doesn’t explicitly set forth a speed at which you are considered to be going too slow. This is because what constitutes a safe speed depends on factors like whether a road is winding or straight, narrow or wide. Pedestrians, traffic, weather, and highway conditions also affect the speed a driver can safely drive.
Fines and Penalties
The fine for driving too slow and impeding traffic is $85. If you are convicted of or plead guilty to the offense, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission will also add two points to your driving record. If you get six points on your record in one three-year period, you will need to pay a $150 fine (plus $25 for each point above six). If you get 12 points on your record at any time, your license will be suspended. Points do not expire, so several smaller violations can combine to trigger bigger penalties. However, three points will be subtracted from your total for each year you go without a traffic violation or a license suspension.
Effects on Insurance
If you violate NJSA 39:4-97.1, your insurance company will add two “insurance eligibility points” to your record. These points are used to determine the level of risk you pose to your insurer and consequently, the amount you will have to pay in premiums. A conviction or guilty plea will result in increased insurance rates for three years.
Wrong way on a one-way street (NJSA 39:4-85.1)
Driving the wrong way on a one-way street is against the law in New Jersey. In f
Tailgating (NJSA 39:4-89)
Tailgating is when your car follows another car too closely, so closely that it
Stopping at a Railroad Crossing (NJSA 39:4-127.1)
Section 39:4-127.1 of the New Jersey Annotated Statutes provides that a driver i
Reckless Driving (NJSA 39:4-96)
New Jersey has two separate statutes defining the similar-sounding traffic viola
Racing on a Public Highway (NJSA 39:5C-1)
New Jersey has two statutes forbidding racing on a highway, and NJSA 39:5C-1. 39
Racing on a Highway (NJSA 39:4-52)
If you live in New Jersey and get a speeding ticket for racing your car on a hig
Leaving the Scene of an Injury Accident (NJSA 39:4-129)
Leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in an injury or death is one of t
Leaving the Scene of a Non-Injury Accident (NJSA 39:4-129(b))
Leaving the scene of an accident (commonly referred to as “hit-and-run”) is
Improper U-Turn (NJSA 39:4-125)
New Jersey Annotated Statute 39:4-125 prohibits making a U-turn in certain locat
Improper Turn From Approved Turning Course (NJSA 39:4-124)
New Jersey Annotated Statute 39:4-124 gives the State Highway Commissioner and l
Improper Turn at Traffic Light (NJSA 39:4-115)
Section 39:4-115 of the New Jersey Annotated Statutes describes turning at an in
Improper Right or Left Turn (NJSA 39:4-123)
In this article, New Jersey traffic attorney Dan Matrafajlo will discuss New Jer
Improper passing on right or off roadway (NJSA 39:4-85)
If you’re going to pass a car that’s driving in the same direction as you, y
Improper Passing of School Bus (NJSA 39:4-128.1)
On a New Jersey undivided highway, when approaching or overtaking a stopped bus
Improper Passing of a Frozen Dessert Truck (NJSA 39:4-128.4)
Section 39:4-128.4 of the New Jersey Annotated Statutes deals with passing a fro
Improper passing in no passing zone (NJSA 39:4-86)
When you’re driving your car along a New Jersey roadway, you must overtake and
Improper operating of vehicle on divided highway or divider (NJSA 39:4-82.1)
Driving on or across a safety island or any other physical barrier on a divided
Improper Crossing of Railroad Grade Crossing by Certain Vehicles (NJSA 39:4-128)
NJSA 39:4-128 applies only to drivers of certain commercial vehicles, including
Improper Crossing of Bridge (NJSA 39:4-127.2)
A movable span bridge or “swing bridge” is a bridge that can pivot horizonta
Improper Backing or Turning in Street (NJSA 39:4-127)
In this article, New Jersey traffic ticket attorney Dan Matrafajlo will explain
Failure to yield to overtaking vehicle (NJSA 39:4-87)
When you’re driving along a New Jersey roadway and you see that another car is
Failure to yield to emergency vehicles (NJSA 39:4-91 and 39:4-92)
When you’re driving along a New Jersey roadway and you see an emergency vehicl
Failure to yield at intersection (NJSA 39:4-90)
When you approach an intersection, there are several rules governing who should
Failure to use proper entrances to limited-access highways (NJSA 39:4-90.1)
Improperly entering or leaving limited-access highways is against the law in New
Failure to Stop for Police Whistle (NJSA 39:4-122)
Section 39:4-122 of the New Jersey Annotated Statutes mandates that a driver mus
Failure to Stop for a Traffic Light (NJSA 39:4-105)
In this article, Dan Matrafajlo will explain the color system used for New Jers
Failure to Stop at a Flashing Red Signal (NJSA 39:4-119)
When a New Jersey driver approaches a traffic control signal that is flashing re
Failure to Signal a Stop or Turn (NJSA 39:4-126)
In this article, New Jersey traffic ticket attorneys Dan Matrafajlo will explain
Failure to keep right (NJSA 39:4-82)
As a driver, you must drive your car on the right side of the roadway unless it�
Failing to Observe a Police Officer's Directions (NJSA 39:4-57)
Although you might think that traffic tickets are mainly for failing to obey tra
Driving While License Suspended (NJSA 39:3-40)
Section 39:3-40 of the New Jersey Statutes prohibits a person from operating a m
Driving on sidewalk (NJSA 39:4-71)
According to New Jersey law, with a few exceptions, you are not allowed to drive
Driving on public or private property to avoid a traffic sign or signal (NJSA 39:4-66.2)
If you’re driving along a road and you see a red light ahead of you, you might
Driving in an Unsafe Manner (NJSA 39:4-97.2)
NJSA 39:4-97.2 is a catch-all provision that simply states, “Not with standing
Careless Driving NJSA 39:4-97
New Jersey Annotated Statute 39:4-97 says, “A person who drives a vehicle care
