NEWARK -- Gov. Chris Christie has declared a state of emergency as a major winter snow storm approaches New Jersey and the East Coast.

The governor's declaration means people should stay off the roads so they do not interfere with law enforcement and emergency responders.

"If you don't have to drive, don't," Christie urged.

An emergency declaration doesn't mean motorists will be ticketed for merely being on the roads, however.

Still, Christie added, "The smartest thing would be to stay home."

The governor can enact additional travel bans if road conditions are expected to become exceptionally dangerous.

Flanked by most of his cabinet, Christie said that NJ Transit would begin suspending daily service at 2 a.m., and that the transit system would begin "cross honoring" all tickets as of midnight so that commuters could get home on just about any piece of mass transit, light rail or bus that was running.

The announcement was made against a backdrop of road sanders and salt spreaders at the Newark Department of Transportation Garage. The emergency declaration triggers a statewide response to the storm by putting the state Office of Emergency Management in charge of coordinating efforts with county and municipal officials and the National Guard.

Christie said that some 3,800 pieces of snow-removal equipment were ready for deployment, and the most of New Jersey's major roadways had already been brined and treated with snow-melt.

Emergency management officials have the power to redirect traffic or close roads to protect public safety, according to state law.

The governor may also declare certain government offices closed, but cannot compel individual private businesses to shut down operations. Local, county and state authorities can close roads or cut off access to shopping centers or business plazas if conditions become dangerous.

Speaking Friday evening, Christie said that while the storm was expected to create flooding at the Jersey Shore, he was "not overly concerned about the flooding at this point" because most of it was expected to be street flooding, not "back bay" flooding brought on by massive winds.

But if the experience of Hurricane Sandy had taught him anything, it was to keep things in perspective. This was the 17th snow emergency in his six years as governor, Christie said.

"The overall message is: We'll get throughout the storm, we always do," Christie said. "That's how we do it in New Jersey."

Declaring a state of emergency allows states to qualify for funds that can be used for immediate response and recovery.

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.