On Wednesday, April 5th, a Howell Township officer was in his patrol car enforcing the statewide crackdown on distracted driving known as “U Driver, U Text, U Pay” when his car was ironically struck by a driver who was reportedly using his phone to navigate without a hands-free setup.
The driver, 80-year-old Gregory Nayvelt of Howell, his 75-year-old passenger Lyudmila Nayvelt, and officer Michael Moore luckily only sustained minor injuries, which were treated at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.
It was later determined that driver Gregory Nayvelt was focused on using his cellphone to navigate, and failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Casino Drive and West Farms Road, where he crossed into officer Moore’s lane and struck his vehicle.
Fines for distracted begin at $200 and include a mandatory municipal court appearance, and it is quite likely that Nayvelt will face additional citations for the crash including possibly reckless driving.
Howell Police Chief further noted that distracted driving causes the majority of crashes in Howell saying “This is another unfortunate example of the consequences of these violations.. A life, including yours, could be lost and it can be prevented. Put the phone down and just drive.”
New Jersey Crackdown on Distracted Driving “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.”
Beginning April 1st and lasting until April 21st, state, county, and local law enforcement agencies have received the necessary funding for extra patrols specifically looking for drivers who are texting or talking on cell phones without a hands-free device.
Ed O’Connor of the Department of Highway Safety stated that most participating police departments have been granted $5,500 dollars, allowing them to have 100 hours of additional enforcement patrols.
Distracted Driving Penalties Attorneys West Long Branch, NJ
In 2015, about 10 percent of the nation’s car accident fatalities were caused by distracted driving. As a result, the nation is beginning to realize the dangers of distracted driving, and penalties are becoming more strict. Penalties for distracted driving in New Jersey are:
- First Offense: $200-$400 and a mandatory municipal court appearance
- Second Offense: $400-$600 and a mandatory municipal court appearance
- Third Offense: A fine of up to $800, a possible 90-day license suspension, and a mandatory municipal court appearance
While distracted driving, like any traffic offense, is not a criminal charge, it does carry steep fines, a possible driver’s license suspension, and all offense require that you pay in person at your municipal court appearance. If you are facing distracted driving charges, and wish to protect your driving privileges and reduce fines and charges leveled against you, it is highly recommended that you retain the counsel of an experienced Monmouth County municipal court attorney.
Contact a Monmouth County Municipal Court Attorney
The Law Office of Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh has experience helping clients across Wall, Red Bank, West Long Branch, and the surrounding areas defend their rights and driving privileges from traffic offense violations. Whether you were cited for speeding, reckless driving, distracted driving, or driving under the influence, it is important that you retain experienced municipal court representation in order to avoid steep fines, loss of license, possible jail time, and an increase in your car insurance premiums.
For experienced Monmouth County municipal court defense, look no further than The Law Office of Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh in West Long Branch, NJ. To speak with one of our attorneys today in a confidential consultation regarding your municipal court issue, contact us online or by phone at 732-440-3950.