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Points
&
Consequences
NJ Motor Vehicle Point System
 he
primary purpose of the motor vehicle point system in New Jersey is the
protection of others from proven bad drivers. There are actually two
systems in place with overlapping consequences:
Surcharge System
When a driver accumulates six points in three years or less, a $100
annual charge (with another $25 for each additional point) is added to their
mandatory auto insurance policy. With insurance costs already among the
highest in the nation, for drivers good or bad, it is thought this monetary
penalty will act as a strong deterrent. Supplemental surcharges for related
violations such as driving without a valid license or allowing your insurance
to lapse, range from $100 to $250.
NJMVS Handbook:
Insurance Suspension System
Extremely bad drivers that accumulate
more than twelve points in less than two years will almost certainly have
their driving privileges revoked in addition to the above fines and any court
imposed monetary penalties related to the tickets received.
NJMVS Handbook: Restoration
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Improperly passing
a stopped school bus carries one of the
highest point penalties (5). |
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Point
System
The majority of drivers never accumulate enough points to enter either of the
above systems. On the other hand, it's possible to careen right past the lower
level surcharge system into a suspended license in three easy steps. Here's
how:
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Tailgate someone driving 50 M.P.H. in
the left lane of the Parkway. (5)
points |
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Pass them on the right after they
refuse to move over. (4)
more points |
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Do the above while driving 15 M.P.H
over the posted legal limit. (4)
more points |
Of course, the chances of
getting all three of those tickets are pretty small, as the State Trooper
probably would have nailed you for tailgating before you got a chance to
compound your problems, but it's not outside the realm of possibilities.
Point
Values
Improper Passing
(4) Points: all violations except;
(5) Points: for passing a stopped school bus. Additionally, if a vehicle is
observed breaking this law, but the driver isn't apprehended at the scene,
the registered owner will receive the ticket.
Speeding
(2) points: 1-14 over;
(4) points: 15-29 over;
(5) points: 30+ over.
Without delving into the
statistics, it seems likely that speeding and "rolling" stop signs,
(2) points, would be the most common violations of most drivers. The complete
breakdown is available in the NJ Motor Vehicle Services Handbook.
NJMVS Handbook: Point
Values
The best way to avoid points and fines is to
drive with the flow of traffic (the average speed on the Parkway seems to be
well over 70 M.P.H. most of time anyway), avoid getting overly frustrated at
slow drivers (on the highway and off) and never drive drunk.
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