Careless Driving

State: New Jersey

I was issued a 4-97 ticket for Careless Driving after I drove past an officer on the highway.

He said he clocked me going "100 in a 65" and said he was doing me a favor by issuing me the careless instead of a speeding ticket.

On the ticket it says the method used was "pace".

NJ state law defines careless driving as: 39:4-97. A person who drives a vehicle carelessly, or without due caution and circumspection, in a manner so as to endanger, or be likely to endanger, a person or property, shall be guilty of careless driving.

I've decided to plead not guilty to the ticket and would appreciate any advice with regards to what I should say in court and whether or not I should hire an attorney.

Any advice is appreciated, thanks

was it a trooper on route 280? I had the same thing happen a week ago.

Passed a cop who was stuck behind a truck, he pulled me over and claimed that I was doing 75 in a 65...when I was looking at my speedo the whole time to make sure I didn't exceed 70. So he knew that was a b.s. charge. Then said that I was hogging the left lane..which I was but not for a long time.

He said he cut me a break by giving me a careless driving ticket.

jamieflyn said:

was it a trooper on route 280? I had the same thing happen a week ago.

Passed a cop who was stuck behind a truck, he pulled me over and claimed that I was doing 75 in a 65...when I was looking at my speedo the whole time to make sure I didn't exceed 70. So he knew that was a b.s. charge. Then said that I was hogging the left lane..which I was but not for a long time.

He said he cut me a break by giving me a careless driving ticket.

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So just have him write you a ticket for 70 in a 65 ... speeding is speeding.

colourfastt said:

So just have him write you a ticket for 70 in a 65 ... speeding is speeding.

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yes speeding is speeding...but if you aren't going to enforce it when people do 80....then you shouldn't enforce it when people do 70. Regardless, its not a careless driving ticket which I'm not guilty off, so should be easy enough to beat it in court. Worst case scenario its a 2 point ticket, so worth it to take a chance, considering careless driving is something you plead DOWN to from a harsher crime