If you see an officer on the road that is directing traffic, you must follow that officer’s directives, or else you will be issued a traffic ticket. In this article, experienced New Jersey traffic ticket lawyer Dan T. Matrafajlo will explain to you what this law is, and what it can mean for you.
The law: N.J.S.A. 39:4-80
The law in New Jersey that governs following traffic control directions by officers is N.J.S.A. 39:4-80, which says:
“When a traffic or police officer is stationed in a highway for the purpose of directing traffic, he may regulate and control traffic at that point, and all drivers of vehicles shall obey his orders and directions, notwithstanding anything contained in this article.”
MVC points and penalties
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) documents any traffic violation by adding points to your driving record whenever you’re convicted of a motor vehicle violation. Failing to obey the direction of an officer pursuant to N.J.S.A. 39:4-80 will result in the addition of 2 points to your driving record by the MVC. If you ever accumulate 12 or more points on your record, your driver’s license will be suspended.
Fines
The traffic fine for disregarding an officer who is directing traffic is $85. However, when this violation occurs in a designated safe corridor, construction zone, or a 65 mile-per-hour zone, the fine is raised to $140.
The municipal court can also fine you anywhere between $50 and $200 for the violation and/or imprison you in state prison for up to 15 days. Also, the judge has the discretion to suspend your driver’s license for a willful violation of this law.
Insurance rates
New Jersey-licensed automobile insurers use an entirely separate, but similar, points system known as “insurance eligibility points.” Every time you have a traffic violation, points will be added. This will affect how much you have to pay for the insurance premiums. For a conviction for failure to obey the direction of an officer, your insurance company will add two points. If your record ever reaches seven or more points, you won’t be able to purchase insurance through the voluntary market; instead, you’ll have to get the more expensive “at risk” coverage through the 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
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
