Ticket for careless driving = Points = $$$$$?

I got a ticket for careless driving. 

Does this kind of ticket mean you get points against your license?  Which in turn mean your auto insurance premiums go up?

I got the ticket on Monday.  I have already received letters in the mail from 3 lawyers.  They want me to retain them to represent me in traffic court.  This makes me think I may have messed up worse than I thought.

Thank you in advance for any advice/word of mouth/bitter lessons you can offer.



Ignore the lawyer letters.  It happens to everyone that gets a ticket.  Your ticket is public information and they are just trying to make some $$$.

Here's the NJ points schedule.  2 points for Careless Driving.  

https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/license/points-schedule.htm

Did they give you a court date? If yes, then go to your hearing and see if you can plea bargain and get 0 points.


I agree. Throwing money at lawyers for 2 pt violation seems a waste. Do what the lawyers normally do, that is, talk to the prosecutor to negotiate it down. 

Look at your insurance policy. Many allow "forgiveness" for the 1st violation.

But zero points is always best.


The sub-category of Careless Driving is "Unsafe Operation" 39:4-97.2 carries zero points but in addition to fine and costs there is a surcharge. 

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/2013/title-39/section-39-4-97.2/

Some with perfect driving records opt to take the 2 points and pay less. There are ways to erase the points and as I recall they go away after a year. But you may want to check with Motor Vehicle Bureau and your insurance company.


"Careless Driving: Likely to Endanger Person or Property"--that's what the ticket says.  Maybe I will go to court and try to get prosecutor to offer STANV's down-charge.  Thank you.  I am not sure I should call my carrier and ask about "forgiveness" because someone told me every time you call, even if it's not to make a claim, the contact makes your premium go up. 


Thank you, MOL brain trust!!!!!

 Also, just so you know, I am now a reformed driver now.  Even though I hate it really bad.  Cars flash their brights behind me, and pass me in an unsafe manner  I don't care.  No more free money for that TWP from me.


brealer said:

"Careless Driving: Likely to Endanger Person or Property"--that's what the ticket says.  Maybe I will go to court and try to get prosecutor to offer STANV's down-charge.  Thank you.  I am not sure I should call my carrier and ask about "forgiveness" because someone told me every time you call, even if it's not to make a claim, the contact makes your premium go up. 

 Your carrier may also sell coverage for future tickets. Amica does. You can also pay for no deductible car repairs.


I try to find that sweet spot, fast enough that I don’t piss off too many people, but slow enough that I won’t get pulled over 

brealer said:

Thank you, MOL brain trust!!!!!

 Also, just so you know, I am now a reformed driver now.  Even though I hate it really bad.  Cars flash their brights behind me, and pass me in an unsafe manner  I don't care.  No more free money for that TWP from me.

 


spontaneous said:

 

 Me, too. I used to drive fast and got speeding tickets. Now, I drive half-assed. 


Info on tickets/points is in the drivers manual...you know the thing you were tested on to get your license, although it changed in the last generation or so..used to be 4 points. and it also used to be that you would only lose 1 point per year.


TYPICALLY, they plea you down to a smaller charger...and you are just wasting money on a lawyer if that is acceptable to you  The 1st court day, you agree to the plea or enter a not guilty plea and then come back in a couple weeks.  You don't have to initiate the plea, they usually offer it flat out...in most towns.


If you go for a lawyer, I would go to one that didn't harass me for business....

For starters, a person who is convicted of or pleads guilty to careless
driving will be fined $85 (or $140 if the offense happens in a safe
corridor, a construction zone, or a 65-mile-per-hour area).
Additionally, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission will put two
points on your driving record. These points don’t expire, so several
smaller offenses can add up over time. Three points will be subtracted
from your total for each year you go without a traffic violation or a
license suspension. If you get six points on your record in one
three-year period, you will be fined $150, plus $25 for each point above
six. If you get 12 points on your record at any time, your license will
be suspended.


https://www.njticketattorneys.com/careless-driving-njsa-394-97/

if it will affect your insurance varies, some forgive 2 points.  don't notify your insurance, I suspect they get notified automatically, there really is nothing to negotiate with them at this point, either it affects your rate or it doesn't.  if your insurance goes up, then call them and try to negotiate...or switch insurance.

and I have heard from people they are offered a choice of lower fine with points or higher fine no points.


I happen to be taking a safe driving course at the moment to get an insurance discount. These courses will also take 2-points off your driving record, which sounds perfect for you. Here is the state site: https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/license/driverprograms.htm

This is the one I am doing. It's pretty bare bones and old tech, but it's cheap and mildly entertaining. I'm about 4hrs in. They are required to make it last 6hrs, so there's lots of sitting and https://www.12dollarnewjerseydriver.com/


thanks, i meant to mention that, when I checked a few years ago, you could take an online driver safety course and get points reduced/lower insurance...used to see them on groupon.



In order to add a comment – you must Join this community – Click here to do so.

Sponsored Business

Find Business

Advertise here!