The most important difference between Reckless Driving and Careless Driving in New Jersey is that a conviction for Careless Driving will earn you 2 points on your New Jersey Driver’s License and a conviction for Reckless Driving will earn you 5 points on your New Jersey Driver’s License. Below you can read more about the legal definition of both.
39:4-96. Reckless driving; punishment
39:4-96. A person who drives a vehicle heedlessly, in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others, in a manner so as to 
endanger, or be likely to endanger, a person or property, shall be guilty of reckless driving and be punished by imprisonment in the county or municipal jail for a period of not more than 60 days, or by a fine of not less than $50.00 or more than $200.00, or both.
On a second or subsequent conviction he shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than three months, or by a fine of not less than $100 or more than $500, or both.
Amended 1955,c.220,s.1; 1982,c.45,s.3; 1995,c.70,s.2.
39:4-97. Careless driving
39:4-97. A person who drives a vehicle carelessly, or without due caution and circumspection, in a manner so as to endanger, or be likely to endanger, a person or property, shall be guilty of careless driving.
Amended 1951,c.23,s.54; 1955,c.220,s.2; 1995,c.70,s.3.
Don’t forget about Unsafe Driving which can help keep you at 0 points in NJ, which you can learn more about here.
In addition to adding points to your license, Reckless Driving and Careless Driving Tickets can drive up your insurance premiums. Call me at 201-598-5019 or email me directly at [email protected] for a free consultation and learn how to stay at 0points.