Posts Tagged ‘0 points’
New Jersey Stop Sign and Yield Sign Laws: How to Avoid Points on Your License
Most New Jersey drivers are aware that failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign can lead to a ticket being issued, but did you know that this violation can also lead to points on your license? Similarly, points can be assigned to your license if you do not observe the rules of a yield 
sign correctly. If you have found yourself facing penalties from failure to observe a stop sign or yield sign, please call me, Corey Morano, Esq. right away at 201-598-5019 or send me an email at coreymorano@gmail.com.
Receiving points on a license is a serious repercussion facing those who have been convicted of a moving violation. It is important to understand how New Jersey stop sign and yield sign laws operate in order to avoid this penalty. Never pass through an intersection that is marked with a stop sign unless you come to a complete stop close to the stop line, and always make sure that you observe safe driving habits when deciding to pass or merge with incoming traffic. Slow down when approaching yield signs and ensure that the route is clear when deciding to enter the intersection or when merging onto the next street. Follow instructions from traffic officers and always yield to pedestrians. The full statute outlining these laws in more detail can be found below. If you have already violated one of these conditions and are in need of quality legal representation, then contact the Morano Law Firm today to find out how you can avoid points on your license.
39:4-144. Stopping or yielding right of way before entering stop or yield intersections.
39:4-144. No driver of a vehicle or street car shall enter upon or cross an intersecting street marked with a “stop” sign unless:
a. The driver has first brought the vehicle or street car to a complete stop at a point within five feet of the nearest crosswalk or stop line marked upon the pavement at the near side of the intersecting street and shall proceed only after yielding the right of way to all vehicular traffic on the intersecting street which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.
b. No driver of a vehicle or street car shall enter upon or cross an intersecting street marked with a “yield right of way” sign without first slowing to a reasonable speed for existing conditions and visibility, stopping if necessary, and the driver shall yield the right of way to all vehicular traffic on the intersecting street which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard; unless, in either case, the driver is otherwise directed to proceed by a traffic or police officer or traffic control signal.
c. No driver of a vehicle or street car shall turn right at an intersecting street marked with a “stop” sign or “yield right of way” sign unless the driver stops and remains stopped for pedestrians crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk, or at an unmarked crosswalk, into which the driver is turning.
Amended 1956, c.107, s.5; 1958, c.114, s.4; 2008, c.9, s.1; 2009, c.319, s.4.
If you have found yourself facing penalties from failure to observe a stop sign or yield sign, please call me, Corey Morano, Esq. right away at 201-598-5019 or send me an email at coreymorano@gmail.com.
What is This “0 Point” Ticket I Hear About for “Unsafe Driving?”
So, you are going to a New Jersey Municipal Court and you are trying to get 
0 points for unsafe driving. Each court has its own procedures, but it doesn’t matter if you are in a Bergen County Municipal Court or in a Cape May Municipal Court… the laws are the same. You may wind up pleading guilty to a ticket that costs around $400.00 – and have no idea what happened? If you are a lawyer going to traffic court or representing yourself you best understand this basic Municipal Court violation.
Most likely you are referring to a plea offer you may have received for a violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-97.2 – Driving/Operating a Motor Vehicle in an Unsafe Manner. It is highly unlikely that a police officer will issue you a traffic summons for this specific violation. This is why its ever so important that you understand what you are getting into with this rather expensive ticket.
Often refered to as “a 97.2” or “unsafe” this violation to the letter of the law makes it unlawful “for any person to drive a motor vehicle in an unsafe manner likely to endanger a person or property. This violation is a subsection of 39:4-97 “Careless Driving.” It was created by the state so that they get their hands in your pocket before the insurance company does. Here is what is important to keep in mind with this violation:
First Offense: a fine of not less that $50.00 or more then $156.00. No motor vehicle points are assessed.
Second Offense: a fine of not less than $100.00 or more than $256.00. No motor vehicle points are assessed.
Third and Subsequent Offenses: a fine of not less that $200.00 or more than $506.00. Fourt (4) motor vehicle points shall be assessed.
Also, a state surcharge of $250.00 shall be assessed in addition to any fine and costs imposed by the court. (Court costs in most municipal courts is about $33.00.
So, to sum up a first offense for Unsafe Driving will get you a fine of somewhere around $400.00. It is also important to know your (or your client’s) driving history to know how many times you’ve pled guilty to the offense as you have only got 2 shots before they issue points. Also important to remember, is that it is the MVC (formerly DMV) and NOT THE COURT that issues points. The points are a statutory offshoot of whatever you wind up pleading guilty too in court. Remember that it doesn’t matter what the Judge, the Prosecutor, the Police or the Administrators tell you about points…they are just trying to help… always keep in mind that it is the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission that issues points to your license.
Understand your rights! Call me at 201-598-5019 or email me directly at newjerseylawyernow@gmail.com for a free consultation.