Regardless of whether you have been driving for 20 weeks or 20 years, remembering traffic laws can be a daunting task.
And with every state — including New Jersey — having its own varieties of laws, keeping them straight can get overwhelming.
Mixed into the straightforward rules, such as stopping at a stop sign, there are a handful of unique laws that can lead to tickets, fines and potential marks on your record.
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Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy Jerry Robins makes a traffic stop along Stewart Street in Milton on July 29, 2025.
Refresh on some of New Jersey’s most important and unique traffic laws before you next hit the road.
Driving with a pet in the vehicle
Be sure to take proper measures to ensure the safety of your pets. A person who carries or plans to carry a living animal in a vehicle in a cruel or inhumane manner can be charged with a disorderly persons offense and have to pay a fine of between $250-$1,000 per offense.
Horses on the road
When approaching or passing a person riding or driving a horse, a person in a motor vehicle should not exceed 25 mph. If a person with a horse who is going in the opposite direction signals, the person in the motor vehicle should stop and remain stationary so the horse may pass. A person who violates this law can receive a fine of $150.
Can you use your phone while driving?
Using any form of handheld device while driving is illegal. Exceptions apply for hands-free devices, only if they don’t interfere with safety. Handheld use is only permitted in absolute emergencies, and even then, one hand is to always remain on the wheel. The first violation is a $200 minimum fine, the second violation is a $400 minimum fine, and the third violation is a $600 fine, plus a 90-day license suspension and three points.
Do you have to honk when passing another car?
Before passing another car that’s going in the same direction on a main road, the driver is to give audible warning by honking the horn. Although this law is rarely enforced, there’s nothing stopping an officer from issuing a ticket for it.
Fatigued driving can be a crime
Falling asleep while driving may be an obvious charge, but there are more levels to it than that. Maggie’s Law classifies driving while knowingly fatigue as reckless driving. A driver who has stayed awake for at least 24 hours and caused a fatal accident can be charged with vehicular manslaughter. If a driver chooses to “sleep it off” before continuing to drive, be careful on the set up. Even if stationary, having the engine on while drunk and tired is enough to warrant a DWI charge. Prior convictions have been upheld in which a car was not on while a driver was sleeping but the keys were in the ignition or within physical reach.
Can you drive with an open alcohol container?
Any unsealed container of alcohol — such as an open bottle or partially consumed beer can — cannot be in the passenger area of a vehicle. Sealed alcohol is allowed and, when able, it’s safest to transport all alcohol in the trunk or as far from the driver as possible. The first offense results in a $200 fine, while the second or subsequent offense results in a $250 fine and 10 days of community service.
Right on red
A complete stop is required at stop signs and reds lights (both steady and flashing). Making a right turn at a red light is permitted unless there is a sign prohibiting it. Drivers are still to follow the right-of-way rules and make a stop first. Making a left turn at a red light is generally prohibited in the state unless both the original and destination streets are one way. If there is ever any confusion, it’s best practice to just wait for a green light, as fines and points are assessed for violations.
What is probable cause?
Police are only to pull you over for a motor vehicle offense if they have probable cause to believe that you’ve committed a crime. Have the driver’s license, registration and insurance card ready. It’s recommended to roll the windows down and ask everyone in the car to keep their hands visible. Police can search your car if they have a warrant, are given permission or develop probable cause that there’s something illegal in the car. Police can’t arrest you for refusing to consent to a search. The driver can be ordered out of the car, but a passenger can only be ordered out for specific safety concerns. If asked to take an alcohol screening test, it’s best to comply. Refusal can lead to the same loss of driving privileges as for a DUI offense.
While this is not an extensive list of all New Jersey traffic laws, keeping them in mind may just help prevent that next ticket.
Risha Inaganti writes about trending topics across South Jersey for the Courier-Post. If you have a story she should tell, email her at rinaganti@gannettnj.com. Subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Can you use a cellphone while driving? Make a right on red?