Got a careless driving ticket in NJ that I should not have gotten.

[eerlikh]

I'm from New Jersey.

I was at a traffic light during rush hour. The light turned green. Everyone was accelerating, the car in front of me suddenly slammed the breaks. Two cars in front of him crashed.

I slammed the brake as soon as I could and bumped the bumper of the car in front of me, he was blocking my view of the accident I want to add. No damage was done to either cars. The guy still decided to call an ambulance, and I got a careless driving ticket.

Was I a careless driver in that situation??? I think I reacted rather well and was the opposite of careless. No one was hurt, no damage was done.

I plan on pleading not guilty, any advice??

 

[ecmst12]

You HIT someone. No, you didn't react "rather well"!

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

As you were not paying enough attention to avoid hitting the car in front of you, that qualifies as careless. Next time, don't be so fast on the throttle.

 

[HighwayMan]

You failed to leave enough distance between you and the car in front of you.

 

[Eekamouse]

You WERE careless. You didn't leave enough room to react to the guy slamming on his brakes.