New Jersey Car Insurance: Driving and Traffic Laws - A Heads-Up for NJ Travelers

February 19, 2007

Your last name doesn't have to be Griswold to realize that packing up the "family truckster" for a lengthy road trip can be a stressful experience. In addition to herding the kids, you have to worry about budgeting your time, your money, and thanks to high gas prices your fuel to ensure that you arrive at your destination with your sanity in tact. The last thing you need along the way is a costly ticket for failing to know the driving laws and traffic laws for the states through which you pass.

Accordingly, if you`re planning to travel to or through the Garden State, this handy New Jersey Driving & Traffic Law Guide is for you. Hopefully, it will lessen your travel-related stress just a little as you head out on your next driving trip or vacation to New Jersey.

New Jersey Speed Limit
Speed limits vary in New Jersey based on location, terrain, and road conditions. In general, however, the maximum speed limit is 55 mph on New Jersey highways. Some highways have a lower maximum speed, so visitors would be well advised to monitor posted limits-especially approaching urban areas. The maximum speed limit on New Jersey urban streets is 35 mph, with the limit dropping to 20 mph in school zones (see http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/enforce/stspdlaw/njspeed.htm). Failure to abide by posted speed limits in and around New Jersey construction areas can result in double the standard fine.

Use of Radar Detectors in New Jersey
Federal law prohibits the use of radar detectors in commercial vehicles 10,000 pounds and higher. In New Jersey, radar detectors are permitted in all other vehicles.

New Jersey Cell Phone Law
New Jersey bans the use of cell phones by school bus drivers as well as drivers on learner`s or intermediate permits. In addition, New Jersey bans the use of hand-held cell phones by drivers state-wide. For updates about New Jersey cell phone laws, see http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.

New Jersey Road Construction Information
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) provides the state`s best and most current information regarding New Jersey bridge and road construction projects (see http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/commuter). The New Jersey Turnpike Authority also provides current road condition and construction reports relating to travel on the New Jersey Turnpike (see http://www.state.nj.us/turnpike/nj-conditions.htm).

New Jersey Bicycle Laws
Many jurisdictions within New Jersey require riders 14 years of age and younger to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle. Riders operating between sunset and sunrise are required to have proper rear, red reflectors and forward-facing illumination. For more information on New Jersey`s bike laws see http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/commuter/bike/ .

For more information about New Jersey driving laws and New Jersey traffic laws, please visit the New Jersey Department of Transportation website at http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/.