Legal Question in Traffic Law in New Jersey

Ticket for Careless Driving

Last Thursday I was trying to get onto the entrance to the Garden State Parkwy on Route 9. I did not immediatly get on at the end of the line (which is about a mile) but proceed to try to get in about 1/2 way up the line (right lane). No one was letting me in. I was traveling at about 45-50 miles an hour. As I got closer to the entrance, I slowed to about 30 miles an hour to see if I could get in. I first looked to see if there were any cars behind me and there was not. I still could not get in. As I approached the solid white line, I resumed normal speed as I decided to get on the rought 9 entrance (after the GSP entrance). A police officer standing at the entrance (qabout 500 feet from where I was) stopped me. He gave me a ticket for what he described as obstructing traffic. He explained to me there would be no points, just a fine, and to call the court for the amount. When I called they told me the statute written on the ticket (394-97) was for careless driving which carries two points if convicted. I was not obstructing traffic and certainly was not driving carelessly. How can he even give me a ticket if there were 1. no cars behind me. 2. I did not cross the white line. 3. Kept a reasonable speed. Please help.


Asked on 12/18/04, 10:04 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Ronald Aronds Law Office of Ronald Aronds, LLC

Re: Ticket for Careless Driving

If you were given a ticket for violating 39:4-97 that is a ticket for careless driving, NOT for obstructing traffic. Careless Driving is a two point ticket. From what you describe the only reason I could possibly think of for the cop to give you a ticket for obstructing traffic was because you were driving below the speed limit (30 miles per hour). However, driving too slow does not fit into the Careless Driving category, so you may have a defense to that based on how the cop wrote the ticket. You always have the right to take your case to trial, if you want to try and convince the judge of your innocence and get the ticket dismissed that way. I am an attorney who has handled many cases similar to yours in various courts in New Jersey in the past. Please call me at 908-272-0111 to discuss your case in more detail. There is never any charge for simply discussing a case with me. Thank you. Sincerely yours, -Ronald Aronds, Esq.-

www.njworkerscompensationlaw.com

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Answered on 12/19/04, 7:09 pm
Michael Carroll Michael D. Carroll, L.L.C.

Re: Ticket for Careless Driving

The ticket you received is a careless driving ticket and carries two points plus a fine and costs. I am not sure why you were given a ticket. Your fact patttern is a little confusing. Feel free to call me at 609-601-9500 to discuss.

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Answered on 12/20/04, 11:25 am


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