Imagine being told you're going to be fined because you decided to drive through a town in which you're not a resident. It's ludicrous to most people since most roadways are public. However, in a town in New Jersey, people could find themselves being fined just for driving through Leonia.
Leonia is a town west of New York City. It's close to George Washington Bridge, which makes it a popular place for people to detour to avoid traffic. When driving apps became popular, they began to reroute people through the town, and now the town has struck back by putting a fine in place. The ban prohibits anyone who isn't a resident in the town from driving on the roads between 6 to 10 a.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday.
What happens if you're stopped? You have to prove that you are a resident or that you have a legitimate reason to be in Leonia.
Of course, this ban has not come without concern. Many wonder if it's legal to tell people not to drive through the area, and others worry that it could violate drivers' rights to be pulled over by officers when they're been driving safely through the area. The police chief claims it's a public safety issue, which he blames on traffic-avoiding apps.
It's realistic to question if the violation would stand in court if you find yourself pulled over in Leonia. Your attorney can help you fight the traffic violation, so you don't have to have a black mark on your record for driving through a public area.
Source: ABC 15, "Town in New Jersey to fine nonresidents for driving through town," Justin Boggs, Jan. 11, 2018