Full question:
Under the laws of New Jersey, is it an offence to use the cell phone while driving?
- Category: Automobiles
- Subcategory: Traffic Laws
- Date:
- State: New Jersey
Answer:
In New Jersey, drivers are prohibited from using handheld cell phones while driving. This includes all holders of learner's permits and intermediate licenses, as well as school bus drivers. Texting while driving is also banned for all drivers.
The penalty for a first offense is a $100 fine and a traffic ticket. While New Jersey law allows hands-free use of cell phones, studies show that both hands-free and handheld use increase crash risk. Dialing a phone number can be more distracting than talking, so hands-free devices with voice-dialing may slightly reduce accident risk.
Texting is particularly distracting because it requires taking eyes off the road. Currently, 14 states and the District of Columbia have laws that ban texting while driving.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.