Why in the World Would Your Ticket Mean Double Fines?
Double trouble. Double jeopardy. You figure you’ve heard it all. But, why in the world would your ticket mean double fines? Is there really such a thing? It just doesn’t seem fair!
In this case, it’s safe to say that double fines really does equate to double the trouble. Of course, it also amounts to double the impact on your wallet. And so you know – there are three major reasons this can pose a concern.
When it comes down to it, a speeding ticket can be double the expense in certain circumstances. For starters, imagine you are driving on a two-lane road that has a 30 miles per hour posted speed limit. The road is about to merge into one lane due to a construction zone up ahead. You see the orange cones, workers in hard hats, barriers, and the posted sign declaring “Fines Double in Construction Zone.”
Nevertheless, you are behind a slow-moving bus, and you want to get around it before the lanes merge. Instead of obeying the posted speed limit sign and slowing down—and not paying attention to the warning about the doubling of any fine—you feel lucky and speed up to get around the bus. Unfortunately, a police officer monitoring the work area clocks you at 50 miles per hour.
A speeding ticket is a bad break, but it is double trouble for you because it happened in a work zone.
When Do Fines Get Doubled?
Often times, if you are issued a traffic ticket in New Jersey, you may not be aware of the consequences because the citation will not state that the fines for the violation may be doubled.
Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-98, drivers must adjust their speed for appropriate road conditions or risk a ticket. Meanwhile, there is somewhat of a caveat as – “appropriate signs…may be erected.”
Motorists may also face double fines under the following circumstances:
- Speeding if the offense occurred in a 65 miles-per-hour zone and found guilty under J.S.A. 39:4-98.6.
- Speeding if driving20 miles per hour as outlined in J.S.A. 39:4-98.7.
- Speeding in a New Jersey construction zone or in a New Jersey safe corridor area as outlined in J.S.A. 39:4-203.5. A safe corridor is a segment of road that has had high accident and fatality rates.
Also, the ticket will not tell you how many points will be assessed against your license if you are guilty or what you will be paying in-state surcharges.
According to the powers that be, fines are doubled to deter speeding and to protect drivers and workers in hazardous work areas on the road. However, there are defenses against these violations.
Contact Us
The bottom line is that double fines mean big money. There are many possible penalties that you may not be aware of when you receive a traffic ticket in New Jersey. If you or someone you know has received traffic tickets in New Jersey, call the Law Offices of Beninato & Matrafaljo to schedule a free consultation.