New Jersey Distracted Driving Law

Everyday drivers are becoming more and more distracted while driving, whether it’s because of a phone call, texting, trying to figure out what song to play next on their iPod or radio, or just in general. Within that two minute time frame of seeing who just texted you or trying to call someone, things can quickly change on the road and for you as a driver. However, the law and cops are about to become tougher on drivers who are caught texting and talking on cell phones as they travel on the road. As of September 2013 the law for cell phones and texting while driving is coming to a quick change. In previous years talking on a cell phone was considered a secondary offense, where a cop must pull you over for something else first besides being on a cell phone. Now, it will be considered a primary offense where cops do not need another reason to be pulling you over. With this new, imposed law the fines have been doubled for those who get caught breaking this law. The new fines for being distracted via cell phones or texting for a first offense are a minimum of $200 and a maximum of $400. A second offense carries a minimum fine of $400 and a maximum of $600. As for a third or any subsequent offenses it can be a minimum of $600 and a maximum of $800. On your third or any subsequent offense thereafter a judge can also suspend your driver’s license for 90 days and impose three motor vehicle points.