The penalties for speeding vary from state to state, usually based on how fast you were going at the time you were stopped. If you are ticketed for speeding in your home state, you know what to expect.
Unfortunately, if you are from out of state, this can cause some nasty surprises for you when you get home. This is because your home state will reciprocate the penalty based on its own laws, and not those of the state in which the ticket was issued.
So what happens if you are a PA licensed driver, and you get a ticket in New Jersey? Well, the points assigned will depend on how fast you were going.Luckily, PA doe not assess points for going 5 mph or less above the limit. Above that, it's:- 6 - 10 mph over posted limit: 2 points
- 11 - 15 mph over posted limit: 3 points (plus a 15-day suspension if in a work zone)
- 16 - 25 mph over posted limit: 4 points (plus a 15-day suspension if in a work zone)
- 26 - 30 mph over posted limit: 5 points (plus a 15-day suspension if in a work zone)
- 31+ mph over posted limit: 5 points (plus 15-day suspension if in a work zone, & possible other penalties)
In light of this, it is best not to plead to New Jersey’s “no point ticket,” called Unsafe Operation. It only works to avoid points in New Jersey, as PA will reciprocate it with 2 points. The better move is to plead guilty to speeding at 5 mph over the posted limit. It is 2 points in NJ, but no points in PA.
So What Should I Do?
If you are a PA driver that has received a ticket in southern New Jersey please feel free to call my office at 856-432-4113 or contact me through this site for a free consultation regarding your ticket to see what strategy works best for you.
Most matters can even be resolved without you appearing, so you can save the expense of traveling to New Jersey. You owe it to yourself to look into it.
If you are looking for more information on New Jersey's traffic laws, then download my free book, A Guide to Driving Legally in NJ, and Surviving Traffic Court If You Don't.