An Annoying and Costly New Jersey Traffic Money Grab is Finally Ending

A few months ago, I was driving on Route 37 in Toms River when the red and blue lights started flashing in my rearview.

I pulled over to the shoulder and went into my glove box to get my registration and insurance card.

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My insurance was there, but my registration was not.

It was at that moment that it dawned on me that I brought my registration card into the house to get some information off of it and I totally forgot to bring it back out to the car.

But, I did have a picture of my registration on my phone.

I thought if you could show your insurance card on your phone, you must be able to do the same with registration.

I was wrong.

The officer was quick to inform me that during a traffic stop, electronic copies of vehicle registration are not accepted.

Would you indulge me in a quick rant? Thanks.

The only reason showing your registration and insurance is a thing is so the State can fine you for not having the documents in your car.

It's a quick money grab plain and simple.

The officer that pulls you over can find out if you are insured and if your vehicle is registered in a matter of minutes.

How do I know this? I've watched it happen when I've been pulled over in the past.

I have the worst luck on the road. I could be going 1 mph over the limit.

If there's a cop in the vicinity, I will be pulled over.

It's like there's a neon sign over my car that says "screw this guy" that is blinking brightly.

Good news, though.

Both sides of the aisle in Jersey worked together and presented a bill that Governor Murphy signed on Monday.

This will allow drivers to present their registration on their phones if required during a traffic stop.

Don't throw that paper copy away just yet.

According, to nj.com, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Agency has been given 18 months to roll out a system that allows us to access our registration on our mobile devices.

Until this is officially rolled out, I would still keep your paper document handy and easily accessible to avoid a $180 fine.