Many New Jersey drivers use hands-free accessories, such as Bluetooth or phone mounts. You assume these devices keep you safe and legal, but the law’s message is complex.
While New Jersey law permits hands-free accessories, the simple act of using your phone while driving is still considered distracting and extremely dangerous. Understanding this difference and prioritizing safety is vital when you are on the road.
Hands-free can be costly
While New Jersey law permits hands-free accessories, this exception is limited by the requirement that the operator must still exercise a high degree of caution in operating the vehicle. This critical legal standard prevents it from being an actual “loophole” for careless drivers.
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) even issues a serious warning. Activities like talking, listening to a call, texting or sending an electronic message are fundamentally considered distractions. Distracted driving involves:
- Visual distractions that take your eyes off the road.
- Manual distractions that take your hands off the wheel.
- Cognitive distractions that take your mind off driving.
Using a hands-free device only eliminates the manual distraction. It leaves the dangerous cognitive distraction fully active, which means your brain is still not focused on the road ahead.
Increased penalties for distracted driving
New Jersey takes violations of handheld cellphone laws very seriously. The state has escalated fines to emphasize its zero-tolerance approach to unsafe driving. You could face increasing penalties with each offense.
- A first offense carries a fine of not less than $200 or more than $400.
- A second offense fine increases to not less than $400 or more than $600.
- A third or subsequent offense can lead to fines of not less than $600 or more than $800, the assessment of three motor vehicle points and a potential driver’s license suspension of up to 90 days.
These severe consequences highlight the seriousness of distracted driving. Keep in mind that repeat offenses can quickly lead to losing your driving privileges.
Essential safety recommendations
Your priority should always be putting the phone completely away before you drive. To eliminate distractions, take these clear, practical steps.
- Pull over: Only use your phone for nonemergency tasks when you have safely pulled off the road and parked your vehicle.
- Maintain control: To lawfully use a handheld phone in an emergency, you must keep one hand on the steering wheel.
- Emergencies only: Limit any handheld use to statutorily defined emergencies, which include fearing for your safety, believing a criminal act may be perpetrated, or reporting a fire, accident, serious road hazard, medical/hazardous materials emergency or a reckless driver to appropriate authorities.
Your full attention to driving is the most critical safety tool you have on the road.
Hold distracted drivers accountable
Distracted drivers often make serious, avoidable mistakes that injure others. If a careless driver seriously injures you or a loved one, holding them responsible typically necessitates skilled legal representation.
An experienced car accident attorney can help ensure a proper investigation of the crash to identify crucial evidence that enables you to receive the fair compensation you deserve for your injuries.