1. Chapter 2 Administrative and Traffic Laws
Unit 1
Chapter 2
Administrative and Traffic Laws

2. Lesson 1 - Administrative Laws
Administrative Laws establish the procedures for issuing and removing people’s driver’s licenses, for registering a vehicle and for securing a title which proves ownership of the vehicle

3. Driver’s License Pass written test (laws, signs, signals, rules)
Pass vision test
6 hours behind the wheel drivers education
Pass road test
Follow GDL restrictions
When you obtain a drivers license you will be asked if you want to be an organ donor.

4. Suspending and Revoking Licenses, The Point System and Violations
State can suspend your license for a specified period of time
State can revoke, or take away, your license for a year or more
Based on point system, which assigns each driver points for violations (the worse the violation the more points)
In New Jersey, your license can be suspended when you receive 12 to 14 points
Each year you go without any violations for points, 3 points are removed from your license

5. Title, Registration and Insurance
Shows proof of ownership
Make, style and vehicle identification number (Vin #) and engine number of the vehicle
Registration:
Shows who is responsible for the vehicle
Keep registration in the vehicle
Insurance:
Liability, uninsured motorist and PIP insurance is mandatory in New Jersey
Insurance card should be kept in vehicle

6. Lesson 2 –Right-of-Way Rules
Right-of-Way – the right to proceed first
Uniform Vehicle Code – vehicle laws recommended by a national committee
When should you give right-of-way:
Emergency vehicles that has its sirens on and lights flashing (move to the right side of the road)
Pedestrians (especially those in crosswalks)
Drivers on the left yield right-of-way to drivers on the right

7. Minimizing Your Risks
Never assume that other others will yield to you even if you have the right-of-way
Stay alert
Realize that others may not obey pavement markings, traffic signs and traffic signals
Make yourself as visible as possible
Identify an escape route in case something goes wrong
Yield to any vehicle that is already in the lane you want to move in to

8. Lesson 3 – Speed Limits
Speed limits are set and posted to protect all drivers
Posted speed limits do not tell you how fast to drive, they tell you that you can not safely go faster than the posted speed – Maximum speed at which you can drive under normal weather conditions
Basic speed limits mean you can not drive at speeds faster or slower than conditions safely permit no matter what the posted speed limit is

9. Fixed Speed Limit – Maximum or minimum speed that a vehicle may be driven on a particular roadway
Advisory Speed Limit – Advises drivers to interrupt their normal driving speed for a limited time (warning sign before a sharp curve or exit ramp)

10. What Are Basic Speed Laws
Basic Speed Law – Always drive at a speed that is reasonable and proper for existing conditions
Slow down in:
Bad weather
Bad road conditions
Reduced visibility
Traffic
At night

11. The higher the speed:
The less time the driver has to spot dangerous situations and take action
The greater the time and distance it takes to change direction or stop a vehicle
The greater the chance the vehicle will skid or roll over on a turn
The greater the chance of a collision, personal injuries and property damage

12. Being Pulled Over
What should you do if you are pulled over by the police?
Pull the car over to the side of the road or into a parking lot when it is safe to do so
Turn the engine, and your radio off
Remove sunglasses (be able to make eye contact with the officer)
Stay calm
Remain in your vehicle, keeping your hands visible
Produce requested documents quickly and efficiently
Be courteous. Do not argue, insult or touch the officer
Do not lie, cry or make excuses
Never try to bribe the officer. Bribery is illegal

13. Lesson 4 – Driver-Condition Laws
Factors which affect your ability to drive safely:
Your physical state
Fatigue
Illness
Injury
Under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Your mental and emotional state
Emotions - Angry or upset
The affects of alcohol or drugs on your brain

14. Driving While Impaired
One out of every 122 licensed drivers (1.5 million) is arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol (DWI)
In 2002, 41% of 42,815 deaths occurred in alcohol-related crashes
Between 10% and 22% of drivers involved in crashes test positive for drug use

15. Illegal Per Se Law – Makes it unlawful for a person to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above a certain level
For drivers in NJ over age 21 the BAC limit is .08%
For drivers in NJ under age 21 the BAC limit is .01%
Implied Consent Laws – When receiving a license, drivers agree that if stopped for cause and charged with the offense of drinking and driving, they will take a test for the presence of alcohol

16. If you refuse to take a breathalyzer test when asked to do so, your license will suspended, you will be fined and will be charged with a DWI

17. Aggressive Driving – "Road Rage"
A high risk behavior that threatens the safety of others and it’s a moving traffic violation
Speeding
Running red lights or stop signs
Tailgating
Frequent and unsafe lane changes
Passing on the shoulder
Aggressive drivers have low regard for other people
They use their vehicles to express their personal anger and frustration without regard for others

18. Reckless Driving
Driving is considered reckless when three conditions exist:
Driver must consciously and intentionally drive in a dangerous manner
Driver knows their actions place other people at increased risk
The conditions – including time and place of occurrence, weather, traffic volume and vehicle and driver condition – make the increased risk obvious and serious
Whenever reckless driving causes the death of another person, the drivers involved may be charged and convicted of vehicular homicide

19. Inattention and Distractions
Inattention is the leading cause of motor vehicle crashes
Nearly 50% of the 6.3 million collisions reported to the police in 2002 were due to failure to pay full attention (NHTSA)
Young drivers are frequently guilty of inattention – primary cause of 25% of all crashes involving 16 to 18 year old drivers (AAA)
Eating and drinking
Playing with the radio or Ipod
Talking /texting on cell phone (primary traffic offense in NJ)
Falling asleep
Talking to others in the car