Warning for NJ & PA Residents: “No Touch” Law Could Get You Fined

If you live in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, you're familiar with the laws here, which can be a bit unusual. Some are very practical, while others make you say, “Wait… that’s real?” Most of these wacky laws are so outdated and rarely enforced that we often forget about them.

New Jersey Laws That Set Us Apart

Let’s start with New Jersey. You still can’t pump your own gas, which totally freaks people out if they’re not from around here. It’s one of those things you don’t really think about until you’re stuck in a Wawa parking lot in a rental car with no idea what to do. Plastic bags are basically extinct here now. If you forget your reusable ones, you’re either paying extra or balancing produce like you’re on a game show.

READ MORE: The Most Stolen Cars in New Jersey and Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Laws Are Confusing

Now, cross over into Pennsylvania, and suddenly you can pump your own gas, but you might not be able to buy alcohol in the same store where you’re getting your snacks. The liquor laws there are straight-up confusing. You’ve got state stores, beer distributors, and weird rules about how many bottles you can buy at once. It's like a scavenger hunt for a six-pack.

Both states are big on beach, park, and road rules, too. In NJ, every beach town seems to have its own rulebook. In PA, if you're headed to a state park, don’t even think about bringing alcohol unless you want to make friends with a park ranger. Also, fireworks? Legal in PA, but not always welcome in your neighborhood. NJ? Mostly illegal, unless it's sparklers, and even then, it's a gray area.

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What Is The "No Touch" Law In NJ & PA?

There is a law on the books that's no laughing matter at all. It's been around for years in New Jersey, but Pennsylvania just signed on this month. You may have heard of Paul Miller's Law in PA. It's called the "No Touch" Law in NJ and other states, and if you aren't aware of it, it could cost you big time.

Many cars are already hands-free when it comes to cellphones, so most of us haven't worried about getting caught with a handset up to our ears in quite some time. However, did you know that just touching your phone in any way is just as illegal as taking a phone call with your hands?

The "no touch" law states that it is illegal to touch your phone to alter GPS, reply to a text, or perform any other action, even if you're stopped at a red light. The only exception is for calling 9-1-1 in an emergency. If caught using your phone while driving, you can be fined up to $600 per instance and receive points on your license.

One more thing, the "no touch" law is what's known as a "primary endorsement law," which means you can be pulled over just for using your phone. In other states, summonses are only given out for phone usage if a driver has been pulled over for another offense.

Now, take a look at the things that don't exist anymore the year you were born!