New Jersey has been concerned for years with distracted driving, so you can be pulled over and ticketed for using a hand-held phone while driving. “Use” is considered to be talking or listening on the phone, texting, or e-mailing.
The penalty is a fine of $100 to $250 plus court costs of $33. Sometimes people will plead to this as part of a bargain with a municipal prosecutor as an alternative to unsafe operation. However, the penalties for the latter charge cannot be avoided, as they apply to this offense when used in a plea bargain.
