Speeding tickets in New York carry serious repercussions, including extensive fines, license suspension, license revocation, and even jail time. Still, it’s important to note that not everyone who is ticketed is guilty. Sometimes people are wrongly ticketed for speeding. Understanding the legal landscape and your options to defend against these tickets is essential. Here are five important things you should be aware of when it comes to New York speeding tickets.
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1. There Are Two New Devices That Police Use to Measure Vehicle Speed
In New York, law enforcement leverages advanced technology to gauge vehicle speed. Examples include LTI Ultralyte LR B Devices, which use lasers to emit a three-foot-wide beam of light, measuring speeds of up to 1,000 feet away by bouncing back from a moving vehicle. Additionally, Stalker Directional Sensor Radar (DSR) Units use cutting-edge technology to determine the speed of a vehicle, whether the officer’s vehicle is stationary or in motion.
2. Police Don’t Need to Witness You Speeding Live to Issue a Ticket
Counter-intuitively, officers don’t always need to be physically present or visually witness a speeding violation to issue a speeding ticket. Various technologies, such as aerial speed technology and speed cameras, can be used to determine the speed of a moving vehicle. They generally work by taking a picture of any vehicles exceeding the posted speed with a record of the date, time, and location.
3. Speeding Tickets Are Costly and Risky
Speeding violations in New York carry hefty fines, with added surcharges on the table. Fines are a guarantee, but, in rare cases, there’s even the potential for up to 30 days in jail. The fines can range from:
- $45 – $150 for speeding up to 10 mph over the posted speed limit or “inappropriate speed”
- $90 – $300 for speeding more than 10 mph over the posted speed limit but less than 30 mph
- $180 – $600 for speeding more than 30 mph over the posted speed limit
These fines increase if there are multiple convictions within an 18-month period and may be doubled if the speeding occurred in a school zone or construction zone. Courts may also impose an $80 – $85 surcharge. Moreover, license suspension is on the table, and drivers with three convictions in an 18-month period face license revocation.
4. Speeding Tickets Don’t Always Mean Exceeding the Speed Limit
It may seem ridiculous that you could be ticketed for going under the speed limit, but New York’s traffic laws include provisions for a wide variety of situations where vehicle speeds do not conform to the prescribed limits, creating an unsafe environment. This is called the “speed not reasonable and prudent” statute and provides for scenarios where drivers operate at excessively low speeds, impeding the flow of traffic. This statute carries penalties of up to $150 in fine, with the potential for an additional $80 to $85 surcharge.
5. There Are Effective Defenses Against a Speeding Ticket
Drivers have the absolute right to confront their accusers and contest speeding tickets. Fortunately, there are tried and true defenses against speeding tickets, even when high-tech devices make that challenge seem insurmountable. Effective defense strategies may include:
- Calling into question whether the speed-measuring devices were properly maintained and appropriately calibrated.
- Presenting evidence of erroneous detection, such as the devices detecting a vehicle near you that was speeding.
- EZ-Pass or other electronic toll records showing you weren’t present at the same place or at the same time as the alleged speeding.
- Taking advantage of an officer’s mistakes in filling out the citation.
- Presenting an otherwise pristine driving record and testimony to support a history of responsible driving behavior.
- Presenting an expert witness in traffic engineering to uncover flaws in enforcement procedures or road conditions.
AutoTrafficTickets.com: Helping New Yorkers Challenge Traffic Tickets
If you or a loved one find yourself seeking to challenge a speeding ticket in New York, having an experienced New York speeding ticket attorney representing you can greatly increase your chances of reaching a favorable outcome. At AutoTrafficTickets.com, our attorneys specialize in successfully navigating the complexities of traffic violations and aggressively upholding our clients’ rights. We are dedicated to doing whatever it takes to reach the best possible outcome. Contact us, call us at 855-FIX-TIXX (855-349-8499), or text us at 516-414-4300 to set up a free and confidential consultation today!
Posted in: Traffic Tickets