New Jersey And New York’s “Click It Or Ticket” Campaign Explained

Traffic campaigns occur on a regular basis in New Jersey, and the latest example is “Click It or Ticket.” Drivers faced random checkpoints as part of this campaign, and as its name implies, they may face tickets for violations. What exactly is this campaign, and what should you do if you have already received a ticket? This is a discussion you might want to have with an experienced traffic law attorney in New Jersey.

New Jersey and New York Participate in “Click It or Ticket” Campaign 

In May of 2024, police departments across New Jersey and New York announced their participation in the “Click It or Ticket” campaign. Both states took similar actions last year and issued thousands of tickets. This year proved to be equally as “successful” for these police departments, and New York alone issued approximately 112,000 tickets.

But what is the “Click It or Ticket” campaign all about? This program is all about seat belt use. Random checkpoints were set up, and anyone without a seat belt was issued a ticket by police. These laws apply to both drivers and front passengers, and there are additional laws to consider regarding children.

Law enforcement agencies in the Garden State received over $766,000 to fund this program. In New Jersey, a first seat belt offense can trigger a fine of up to $100. There are additional fees to consider, and you may face more serious financial penalties in certain situations. With over 15,000 tickets issued for seat belt violations during this campaign, New York police may have “earned” over $1.5 million. Note that they also issued almost 100,000 other tickets for various offenses – including speeding. Clearly, traffic enforcement is a very lucrative trade.

Can You Fight a Seat Belt Ticket in New Jersey? 

Note that the most serious financial penalties are reserved for those who choose not to fight their tickets. In the eyes of the law, paying your ticket is the same as admitting guilt. You might not necessarily need to admit guilt in this scenario, and you could potentially request a hearing. During this hearing, the discussion may center around the officer’s observations. If the officer does not attend the hearing (a common occurrence), the ticket may be dismissed.

You may need to think carefully about whether it is worth fighting a relatively low ticket with no points and no insurance implications. You should know that a seat belt violation is a “primary offense,” which means officers can legally pull you over if they spot you without a seat belt on. Depending on what happens after the traffic stop, fighting the seat belt violation may become more important than you realize.

Find an Experienced Traffic Ticket Lawyer in Bergen County 

If you’ve been searching for an experienced traffic ticket lawyer in Bergen County, look no further than Phillip J. Murphy, Attorney at Law. We know how confusing some of these traffic campaigns can be, and we can help you fight your ticket with confidence. Reach out today to learn about your next steps. It may be easier to resolve this issue than you realize, so book a consultation now.

Sources:

nj1015.com/why-nj-drivers-are-about-to-get-belted-by-46-traffic-tickets/

pix11.com/news/more-than-112000-tickets-issued-during-ny-seatbelt-enforcement-campaign/

nj.gov/oag/hts/downloads/Seat_Belt_100_PC_Web.pdf