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Fire hydrants are the little metal things that poke out of the ground here and there, predominantly in population-dense areas like cities. They’re great for a few things, like enabling firefighters to put out fires and drivers like you to get frequent parking tickets. This article will explain everything you need to know about fire hydrant parking tickets in NJ—including how to get out of them.
What Are the Fire Hydrant Laws in New Jersey?
New Jersey’s fire hydrant laws are contained in Title 39 of the New Jersey Statutes on Motor Vehicles and Traffic Regulations. Specifically, §4-138i renders it illegal for any motorist to stand or park a vehicle “within 10 feet of a fire hydrant,” among other places.
The law also makes it illegal to stand or park vehicles on sidewalks, in intersections, over crosswalks, and so on. As mentioned above, these laws apply to both standing and parking.
Standing is a temporary stop longer than a simple stop but shorter than a park. If you are stopping the vehicle to load or unload passengers, that’s typically considered standing. The difference between standing and parking is generally (but not always) that standing vehicles remain powered on and the driver remains in the driver’s seat.
When Are the Hydrant Laws in Effect?
New Jersey’s fire hydrants laws are always in effect. Some jokesters have been known to say, “These laws are in effect from sunrise to sunset and overnight too.” That’s just a fancy way of saying, “At all hours of the day.” Unless posted or overruled by a specific local law or regulation, these laws are always in effect and should be treated as such.
What Is the Cost of a Fire Hydrant Ticket in NJ?
Failure to adhere to the above laws about parking near fire hydrants can result in the registered owner of the vehicle receiving a parking ticket. Unfortunately, these tickets can cost quite a bit. Fortunately, they cost a whole lot less than they do in some other states.
The fine for a fire hydrant ticket in NJ is $47 (subject to variation depending on other fees, local laws, where the violation occurred, etc.). This $47 might seem like a lot or might not seem like much, but failure to respond within 30 days can cause that cost to grow significantly.
Why Are Hydrant Tickets So Strict?
Part of the reason why these laws are so strict is because nobody knows when a fiery emergency is going to happen. If and when one does, fire control crews aren’t going to want to sit there and wait patiently for somebody to move their car while their neighbor’s house burns down.
The severity and danger of fires in densely packed areas (like New Jersey’s many cities and residential communities) requires that the government treats these regulations strictly. Should somebody park too close to a fire hydrant, there’s a chance that the firefighters who show up to fight a fire might not be able to access the hydrant. This can cause significant property damage—or worse.
Can You Park by a Broken Hydrant?
This is a tricky question. Yes, you can park next to a broken fire hydrant—but you shouldn’t. If you park next to a broken fire hydrant, there’s a chance that you won’t get a ticket. However, there’s also a chance that police officers might not know it’s a broken hydrant and give you a ticket anyway. There’s also a chance that the hydrant might look broken when it’s actually not.
Furthermore, if the hydrant actually is broken but is not on the city’s books as being out of commission, then you might not be able to prove that it is broken. In that case, the court would likely uphold your ticket.
Are There Any Exceptions to the Laws?
One exception to the law requires the driver of the standing or parked vehicle to be ready and able to move it if an emergency situation arises. For example, if you park your car and walk away from it, there’s a good chance that you will find a ticket on it when you get back to it. However, if you are standing next to it when the officer arrives, you might be able to get in and move the vehicle without receiving a ticket.
Can I Get My Fire Hydrant Ticket Reduced or Dismissed?
Yes, you can fight your ticket and have the fine reduced or entirely dismissed. To do so, you’ll need to plead not guilty and contest your ticket in court. We’ll talk more about the dispute process later in this article.
If you’d like to accept the parking ticket and all the penalties associated with it, you can do that as well. Just be sure to pay it in full (or set up an approved payment plan) within 30 days of receiving the ticket. Failure to do so can result in additional late fees being charged to your overall balance.
What To Bring to Court When Fighting Your Ticket
To contest a fire hydrant parking ticket in New Jersey, there are a few things you’ll want to bring: all the relevant evidence, the original ticket, and (if necessary) an argument letter.
Evidence
Photo or video evidence can be an invaluable resource in the fight against parking tickets. Dash cams (dashboard cameras) are particularly helpful in instances like these. If you can provide the court with proof that your vehicle was not where the ticket says that it was at the time it says that it was, then you stand a great chance of convincing the judge to dismiss your ticket.
The Original Ticket
The original ticket is a crucial part of any defense. That is where the state’s claims will originate, it’s what the state will try to prove, and it’s what you’ll have to pay if you don’t succeed in your argument. Having that on-hand can help provide you with a crucial reference point when presenting your case in court. It can also make it easier to pay on the same day (thereby avoiding late fees) if you lose your case.
An Argument Letter
Argument letters can sometimes be submitted in place of a court date, if you would like to contest your ticket via writing. Depending on your particular circumstances, you might have better luck presenting an oral argument based on written description of events rather than just an argument letter by itself. Of course, those odds further increase when you partner with an experienced traffic ticket attorney.
Hiring an Attorney To Fight Your Ticket Through appwinit.com
The traffic court process can be long, challenging, and confusing. So why go through it alone? With help from WinIt, you can obtain access to safe and affordable legal assistance with the tap of a button. Either download the WinIt app for smartphones today to get the ball rolling on your parking ticket dispute process. Why pay $47 when you can pay a fraction of the cost, take your case to court with WinIt, and potentially win it?
