No, applying makeup while driving in New Jersey violates state traffic laws under N.J.S.A. 39:4-97.1, which prohibits operating a vehicle while distracted. The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety (DHTS) classifies cosmetic application as a form of inattentive driving, citing 2023 crash data linking such behaviors to rear-end collisions. Local municipalities, including Newark and Jersey City, have reinforced enforcement via municipal ordinances, with penalties escalating under the 2026 DHTS Strategic Plan targeting “secondary task distractions.”
Key Regulations for Applying Makeup While Driving in New Jersey
- N.J.S.A. 39:4-97.1 (Distracted Driving Statute): Prohibits any activity that diverts attention from safe vehicle operation, including makeup application, with fines up to $200 for first offenses.
- N.J.S.A. 39:4-128.4 (Local Enforcement): Municipalities may impose additional penalties; Jersey City’s 2024 ordinance adds community service for repeat violations.
- N.J.A.C. 13:1-7.2 (DHTS Guidelines): Explicitly lists cosmetic use as a “high-risk distraction,” aligning with 2026 federal DOT recommendations for state compliance.
Violators face fines, potential license points under N.J.S.A. 39:5-3, and increased insurance premiums. Law enforcement prioritizes this under the “Hands-Free NJ” initiative, which mandates strict adherence to distraction-free driving standards. Courts have upheld convictions where makeup application impaired reaction time, even without collision occurrence.