We all know what it feels like to have to rush somewhere, whether you are merely short on time or need to tend to an urgent matter. Hundreds of people drive at speeds exceeding the designated speed limit every day—people just hope not to be caught by the police. However, sometimes we are not so lucky. In fact, speeding offenses are one of the most common motor vehicle violations in New Jersey, with hundreds of moving violations processed in each New Jersey municipality every year. Speed limits exist for a reason, and it is best to abide by them in order to maintain the safety of our roads. For this reason, speeding tickets carry harsh penalties as a means of deterrence. Long Beach Island Police Department in particular hone in on speeding and other moving violations, as the island is filled with pedestrians, families, and bicyclists during the spring and summer months.
New Jersey Law: Rates of Speed N.J.S.A. 39:4-98
The speeding statute in New Jersey provides the following speed limitations throughout the state:
Subject to the provisions of R.S.39:4-96 and R.S.39:4-97 and except in those instances where a lower speed is specified in this chapter, it shall be prima facie lawful for the driver of a vehicle to drive it at a speed not exceeding the following:
a.Twenty-five miles per hour, when passing through a school zone during recess, when the presence of children is clearly visible from the roadway, or while children are going to or leaving school, during opening or closing hours;
(1) Twenty-five miles per hour in any business or residential district;
(2)Thirty-five miles per hour in any suburban business or residential district;
c.Fifty miles per hour in all other locations, except as otherwise provided in the “Sixty-Five MPH Speed Limit Implementation Act,” pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1997, c.415 (C.39:4-98.3 et al.).
Speeding Tickets: Consequences of Driving Too Fast
Before appearing in municipal court to fight your speeding charges, you should speak to a traffic defense attorney. Speeding tickets come with fines reaching up to $200, and additionally, points to be added onto the driver's license. The amount of driver's license points depend on how fast over the speeding limit the driver traveled. The amount of points increase as follows:
If the driver traveled 1-14 MPH over the speed limit: 2 points
If the driver traveled 15-29 MPH over the speed limit: 4 points
If the driver traveled 30 MPH or more over the speed limit: 5 points
Needless to say, these driver's license points may add up quickly once other moving violations are added to the mix. Once the driver reaches 12 points, he or she will face a license suspension by the Motor Vehicle Commission. License suspension is a separate motor vehicle sanction, and will carry with it consequences which will burden your day-to-day life and ability to travel.
Another point to keep in mind is that in certain areas, fines for speeding are doubled. Fines may be doubled in amount if the driver was driving over the 65 MPH speed limit on the Garden State Parkway or Turnpike, speeding in a “safe corridor” area, or speeding within a construction zone.
In many cases, law enforcement will hit you with more than just a speeding charge. Typical other offenses added onto speeding charges include careless driving, reckless driving, driving while suspended, driving without insurance, and DWI. A municipal court judge may also impose a driver's license suspension and jail time as part of your sentence for speeding, especially if the speed is excessive and found to be willful.
Traffic Defense Attorneys at Villani & DeLuca
If you have been charged with a traffic violation in Ocean or Monmouth County, you will need an experienced traffic defense attorney to help you defend your charges in municipal court. The traffic defense attorneys at Villani & DeLuca have over 20 years of experience handling these types of matters in Ocean and Monmouth County.
Our experienced attorneys will help you navigate the municipal court system in LBI. It is in your best interests to proceed with an experienced attorney by your side—do not just go into court and plead guilty to all of your charges. Call our office at 732-782-9833 today for a FREE initial consultation.