New Jersey

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of New Jersey. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

New Jersey
Drowsy Driving Law

AKA "Maggie’s Law," effective 2003. Statute deems driving “while knowingly fatigued as recklessness” and defines fatigued as “being without sleep for a period in excess of 24 consecutive hours.” (New Jersey Legislature, 2002).

New Jersey
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 17.

New Jersey
Motorcycle Helmet Required?

Universal helmet law enacted 1968.

New Jersey
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

4 years

New Jersey
Provisions for Mature Drivers

None

New Jersey
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

None

New Jersey
Marijuana Possession and Use

Legal for medical use

New Jersey
Marijuana Impaired Driving

None

New Jersey
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)

65

New Jersey
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

65

New Jersey
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)

55

New Jersey
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

55

New Jersey
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)

65

New Jersey
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)

65

New Jersey
Increased penalty for high BAC

0.1

New Jersey
Administrative license suspension on first offense

3 months

New Jersey
Limited driving privileges during suspension

None

New Jersey
Ignition Interlocks

Mandatory for all convictions

New Jersey
Open container laws

Yes

New Jersey
Repeat Offender Laws

Yes

New Jersey
Child Restraint Required

Under 2 yrs and under 30 lbs in rear-facing seat
Under 4 yrs and under 40 lbs until height or weight limit reached in child safety seat
Under 8 yrs and shorter than 57" in forward-facing child safety seat or booster seat until height or weight limit reached in rear seat, if available

New Jersey
Adult Safety Belt Permissible

8 yrs or older or over 57"

New Jersey
Full Privilege Minimum Age

18 years

New Jersey
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16

New Jersey
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

6

New Jersey
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)

None

New Jersey
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

17

New Jersey
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction

11 p.m. - 5 a.m.

New Jersey
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)

No more than 1 (exception limited to drivers' dependents)

New Jersey
In What Seat?

All

New Jersey
Type of Law

Primary; Secondary for rear seat occupants

New Jersey
Who is Covered?

7 and under and more than 57 inches tall 8 and over

New Jersey
Hand-Held Ban?

Yes. Primary law.

New Jersey
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers

Yes. Primary law.

New Jersey
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers

Drivers with permit or provisional license. Primary law.

New Jersey
Text Messaging Ban?

All drivers. Primary law.

New Jersey
Speed Cameras: State Law

Prohibited

New Jersey
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted

n/a

New Jersey
Red Light Cameras: State Law

None

New Jersey
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted

n/a

A New Jersey City Hasn't Had a Single Traffic Death in Almost 7 Years. Here's Why.

American roads have gotten a lot more dangerous in recent years. Between 2019 and 2022, traffic fatalities jumped 18%, with pedestrian deaths hitting a 40-year high in 2021, according to data from the Governors Highway Safety Association. Authorities blame the increased fatalities on speeding, impaired driving, and people not wearing seatbelts.

States Step Up Efforts to Protect People Walking Amid Surge in Unsafe Driving During Pandemic

As the number of pedestrians killed by drivers continues a decade-long trend in the wrong direction during the pandemic, GHSA & its SHSO members are marking the 2nd annual Nat'l Pedestrian Safety Month by taking steps to address the behavioral safety issues that put people on foot at increased risk.

States Step Up Efforts to Protect People Walking Amid Surge in Unsafe Driving During Pandemic

As the number of pedestrians killed by drivers continues a decade-long trend in the wrong direction during the pandemic, GHSA & its SHSO members are marking the 2nd annual Nat'l Pedestrian Safety Month by taking steps to address the behavioral safety issues that put people on foot at increased risk.

AG Grewal, Division of Highway Traffic Safety Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries of NJ’s Nationally Acclaimed Teen Driver Laws by Announcing “Stick To It“ Public Awareness Campaign

As crashes involving teen drivers continue to trend downward in New Jersey, the Division of Highway Traffic Safety (“the Division“) announced a public awareness campaign to commemorate milestone anniversaries for the state’s nationally acclaimed teen driver laws.

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