As a driver, you must drive your car on the right side of the roadway unless it’s a one-way street, you’re trying to pass another car, or it’s not reasonable to do so. Failure to keep right constitutes a violation of New Jersey traffic law. If you swerve onto the left side of the road, or if you’re not careful to stay to the right side of the yellow line, you can get a traffic ticket for violating N.J.S.A. 39:4-82. Here, New Jersey traffic ticket lawyer Dan T. Matrafajlo will provide an overview of the pertinent law and the consequences of breaking that law.
The law: N.J.S.A. 39:4-82
The New Jersey law that directly pertains to driving on the right side of the road is N.J.S.A. 39:4-82, which says:
“Upon all highways of sufficient width, except upon one-way streets, the driver of a vehicle shall drive it on the right half of the roadway. He shall drive a vehicle as closely as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway, unless it is impracticable to travel on that side of the roadway, and except when overtaking and passing another vehicle subject to the provisions of sections 39:4-84 and 39:4-85 of this Title.”
MVC points & penalties
Aside from court fines and penalties, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) will penalize a conviction for failing to keep right by adding two points to your driving record. Any time you get six or more points on your record within three years, you’ll be fined. If your point total meets or exceeds 12 points, your license will be automatically suspended.
Fines
The traffic ticket fine for failure to keep to the right of the road is $185.00. If you commit this violation in a designated safe corridor or a construction zone, the ticket is $290.00.
Insurance rates
New Jersey-licensed automobile insurers will also take note of your traffic violation. Two points will be added to your “insurance eligibility points” record. The more points you accumulate, the higher your insurance premium will be. Plus, if you accumulate too many points, you won’t be able to purchase insurance in the voluntary market; instead, you’ll have to get coverage through the more expensive New Jersey Personal Automobile Insurance Plan (NJPAIP).
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
Slow Speed Blocking Traffic (NJSA 39:4-97.1)
Exceeding the speed limit on a highway in New Jersey is one of the most commonly
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
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
