Popular Mechanics has rated New Jersey the worst state in the country for speeding tickets. What makes it the worst for speeding tickets? First, NJ is reputed to have a speed trap every 30 miles, which is the most in the country, and it has been calculated to collect $30,000 per mile in fees. The biggest factor in the decision, however, was the  “racing” statute that doubles fines for going more than 10 mph over the speed limit in a 65 mph zone.

New Jersey Speeding Tickets and NJ Laws

The magazine misinterpreted  the statute, and commented  that all fines were doubled if caught going over 75 mph in a 65 mph zone. In actuality, fines are only doubled if a motorist is operating a vehicle “for a wager or in a race or for the purpose of making a speed record.” NJSA  39:4-52.  Statistics actually show that speeding tickets on the Turnpike and Parkway have decreased in 2014. If the statue was interpreted correctly, New Jersey may not have taken the bottom spot.

By comparison, North Dakota was named the best state in which to receive a speeding ticket because of its lenient penalties.