Careless driving is one of the most common traffic violations handled in New Jersey municipal court. This type of traffic ticket is commonly issued to a driver who is deemed to have caused a motor vehicle collision. Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-97 an individual is guilty of careless driving if they drive carelessly, or without due caution and circumspection, in a manner so as to endanger, or be likely to endanger, a person or property.

Impact of a Careless Driving Violation on Your Driving Record

A careless driving conviction will result in 2 points on your driving record. This can result in a significant increase in the price of your insurance premium. Depending on how many points you already have, your insurance can become very expensive. This is reason enough to hire an experienced New Jersey traffic ticket attorney to negotiate with the prosecutor to get the charges dismissed or downgraded to a no-point violation. In certain cases, your attorney can even go to trial, because careless driving is not always an easy case for the state to prove.

Other Penalties of a Careless Driving Conviction

The penalties of a careless driving conviction go beyond the 2 points on your driving record. A conviction can also result in the Court fining you between $50 to $200 plus $33 in court costs and a $6 assessment fee. Under certain circumstances, the Court also has discretion to imprison you for up to 15 days in jail. These fines get doubled if your careless driving offense happened in an area with a designated speed limit of 65 mph or if it is a designated construction zone.

Careless Driving v. Reckless Driving – What’s the Difference?

The careless driving statute is similar to the reckless driving statute in New Jersey. The major difference, however, is that a careless driving violation results in less severe penalties. The major difference is that if you were carelessly driving, you were doing so with a less culpable mind set, but there is an element of intent read into the statute. On the other hand, if you were recklessly driving, then you were “intentionally” driving in a manner likely to endanger a person or property.

The bottom line is that although careless driving is a common traffic violation, you should not take it lightly. A conviction can result in serious penalties that can be an inconvenience and impact your life.

Call a New Jersey Ticket Attorney

If you or someone you know has been issued any type of traffic violation in New Jersey, including careless driving, an experienced attorney can help. Call Beninato & Matrafajlo Attorneys at Law, LLC at 908-355-7100 to schedule a free, complimentary consultation with our legal team today.