New Jersey Criminal Attorney Blog

A recent survey of traffic enforcement practices tagged New Jersey as the toughest in the nation. And North Jersey drivers who commute to New York may not be surprised that the Empire State was not far behind.

The survey by the National Motorists Association cited court practices, speed traps and fees in awarding New Jersey this dubious honor. It also cited the state's recent use of red-light cameras, which the organization says has a "negative effect on traffic safety."

While the survey placed the Garden State as only the seventh worst state for speed traps, an article on MSN Money points out that a combination of factors combined to contribute to the earn New Jersey the top spot on the list. The survey evaluated states based on factors including the use of speed cameras, speed limits on highways, and the availability of jury trials for moving violations.The combination of factors landed New York in the number five spot.

New Jersey's status as one of the most densely populates states in the country likely accounts for the increased level of traffic enforcement, the MSN Money article points out. Yet the survey suggests that there are several reasons for New Jersey motorists to beware.

Whether New Jersey police issue traffic tickets to increase revenues or to enforce the law has always been a controversial topic. But with municipalities facing tough budgetary times, the question has become even more timely. No matter what motivates police to step up traffic enforcement, even careful drivers may be in danger of racking up points on their licenses that can lead to higher insurance premiums or worse, suspension.

Some New Jersey municipalities have been issuing more traffic tickets as a way to close budgetary shortfalls during tough economic times. One small town nearly doubled its revenues from traffic violations over the previous year, as reported in a recent article in The Press of Atlantic City. The added revenue would help cover the town's operating budget, according to that article.

But some describe reports of such revenue-generating ticket blitzes as nothing more than an "urban legend." Police sources have said that the greater share of revenue generated by traffic tickets does not go to the police department, but rather municipal court and state fees, according to an article in the Cliffview Pilot.

In fact, earlier this year a chain email was widely circulated purporting to warn of a coming ticket blitz by New Jersey State Police. As it turned out, the rumor was false. The email was just the latest version of similar chain letters claiming to warn of ticket blitzes in other areas of the country that have been circulating for several years.

No matter what motivates police to step up enforcement of traffic violations, any increase in traffic tickets can spell trouble when even the most careful drivers make honest mistakes.