Every summer the Garden State Parkway through Ocean and Monmouth counties becomes one long enforcement zone — State Police and local departments working the shore-bound traffic hard. Most of what they write is speeding, but two charges climb fast in the summer and carry far more weight: reckless driving and eluding.
Reckless driving (N.J.S.A. 39:4-96)
Reckless driving is more than speeding — it’s driving with “willful or wanton disregard” for safety: weaving through Parkway traffic, racing, aggressive tailgating. It carries points, possible jail, and a much bigger insurance hit than a standard speeding ticket. Often it can be negotiated down — see our reckless driving guide and how a plea-down works.
Eluding (N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2b)
Eluding is an indictable (felony-level) offense handled in Superior Court, not a traffic ticket. It’s charged when a driver knowingly flees after a signal to stop — and it can be upgraded if the driving created a risk of injury. The defense often turns on whether you actually knew police were signaling you and whether your driving was truly “flight.” See our eluding charge guide.
Where these are heard
Speeding and reckless driving go to the municipal court of the town where you were stopped; eluding goes to Superior Court for the county. We handle Parkway stops throughout Ocean County and Monmouth County — see, for example, our Toms River traffic page.
Stopped on the Parkway this summer? Goldman Law Firm — free consultation, 24/7, flat fees explained upfront. Call 908-692-7745.
Part of our complete guide: For every related New Jersey offense, claim, and defense in one place, see our NJ Traffic Ticket Defense Guide.