Most Common Traffic Tickets in NYS Explained
Traffic tickets are something every driver in New York State can face. Knowing the most common violations, their penalties, and what you should do if you’re ticketed can help you avoid fines, points on your license, and other consequences. Below, we explain the top five most common traffic tickets, their penalties, and what you should know about each.
1. Speeding
What It Is: A speeding ticket is issued when you drive over the posted speed limit or exceed the safe speed for road conditions.
Penalties:
Fines range from $45 to $600, depending on how much you exceed the limit.
Points range from 3 to 11, based on the severity of the violation (the higher the speed over the limit, the more points you accumulate).
What to Know: Speeding in construction zones or school zones can increase penalties significantly, with fines up to $1,000 and additional points. Be aware that if you’re caught speeding by a camera (in certain areas like school zones), you could face fines without an officer being present.
2. Running a Red Light
What It Is: Running a red light occurs when you fail to stop for a red traffic signal and enter the intersection.
Penalties:
Fines typically range from $50 to $250.
Points on your license range from 2 to 3.
What to Know: Red light violations are monitored by cameras in some areas, and you could be ticketed even if an officer isn’t present. In addition to the fines and points, running a red light can be dangerous, as it often leads to accidents.
3. Failure to Yield
What It Is: This ticket is issued when you don’t give the right of way to another driver or pedestrian when required.
Penalties:
Fines range from $50 to $200.
Points on your license range from 2 to 3.
What to Know: Failure to yield typically happens at intersections or when merging into traffic. This violation can result in accidents, and failure to yield to pedestrians can lead to serious legal consequences, especially in crosswalks.
4. Improper Lane Change
What It Is: An improper lane change occurs when a driver changes lanes without signaling or without checking their blind spots, often causing unsafe conditions for other drivers.
Penalties:
Fines range from $50 to $200.
Points on your license range from 2 to 3.
What to Know: It’s important to always signal and ensure it’s safe to change lanes. If caught, you could also face additional penalties if your improper lane change results in a crash or a near-miss with another vehicle.
5. Tailgating (Following Too Closely)
What It Is: Tailgating happens when a driver follows another vehicle too closely, making it difficult to react to sudden stops.
Penalties:
Fines range from $150 to $400.
Points on your license range from 2 to 4.
What to Know: Tailgating is especially dangerous in high-traffic areas and during bad weather. The closer you are to the car ahead, the less time you have to react in case of an emergency, which increases the risk of rear-end collisions.
Traffic tickets are not only inconvenient but can have serious consequences on your driving record and insurance rates. If you receive one of the most common tickets in New York State, it’s important to understand the penalties and how to handle the situation.
If you’ve received a traffic ticket in New York, MontanaroLaw can help. Our experienced attorneys can assist you with contesting or reducing your ticket and minimizing the impact on your driving record. Contact us today at 516-203-1700 for a case evaluation and get the legal help you need to protect your driving privileges.
