Serving Westchester County & New York City

​Being convicted for a traffic violation can become a real headache—and an expense. For every traffic violation with which you are charged, if the traffic court finds you guilty you can face serious penalties, including having points added to your license. For example, in New York State, if you're convicted of speeding 25 miles over the posted speed limit you can receive 6 points on your license and if you are convicted of improper cell phone use you can receive 5 points on y

It's true that, with the summer approaching, exam season is almost over. But why not take a few minutes of your time to test yourself on today's traffic laws. Take this quiz to assess your traffic law IQ and avoid getting into legal trouble on the roads. 1. You can't get a ticket for cell phone use as long as you're speaking through a Bluetooth wireless connection. True___ False _____ 2. It’s perfectly okay to toot your horn if you’re trying to urge the driver in front of you

Most suburban kids can't wait until they are old enough to drive. And some parents, tired from chauffeuring their children around, feel the same way. They're excited by the prospect that they will gain some free time once their teens can drive and be more independent. The fact is, however, that car crashes are the leading cause of death among American teens. It is almost never too early to start the conversation with your child- about the importance of being a cautious driver

My clients are inevitably shocked, dismayed, and frustrated when they have their driver's licenses suspended. The most common reasons for getting a definite suspension order in New York State are: not having automobile liability insurance having a conviction for an alcohol or drugged driving charge having received multiple traffic violations, totaling 11 points within an 18-month period not following the rules for junior drivers The reasons for receiving an indefinite suspens

Many people believe they can avoid paying a traffic ticket if they got it in another state. Not true! Other states share motorist data with New York State and the same is true vice versa. If you receive an out-of-state ticket, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will be notified. While the New York DMV will not add points on your license for traffic infractions you got in another state, you are still obligated to pay fines and penalties related to an out-of-

​ New Year's Eve is one of the most dangerous days of the year to drive. Planning for transportation is just as important as planning what you'll wear to your New Year's Eve celebrations. Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is both a high-risk activity that can lead to tragic accidents and health consequences. it is also a serious criminal offense with costly penalties. As you can see from below, the fine for DWI (also called DUI-for Driving Under the Influence) depends on the le

Yes, you're in a rush. Yes, it's tempting when you're driving on a highway to want to drive in the less congested HOV lane. But, if you're driving alone, resist the temptation! HOV lanes are High Occupancy Vehicle lanes that are designated for cars that contain at least two people. If you're caught driving in an HOV lane without a passenger during specified rush hours, you will generally be charged with a 2-point violation and a fine of over $100. Even if you're driving in a

Many parents assume that it's perfectly okay to double park outside a school when running inside to drop off or pick up their children at the beginning or end of the day. And so many were surprised last year when media reported that parents had received $100 tickets for double parking outside William Ward Elementary School in New Rochelle (http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2017/11/06/new-rochelle-parking-tickets/). While you may consider double parking a harmless habit, it is, in f

The only thing more frustrating than receiving a traffic ticket may be losing one. Unfortunately, replacing a lost ticket can be harder than you think. Here's what you need to know to remedy the situation: 1. If your traffic ticket was marked Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) on the bottom, you're in luck. Go to: https://dmv.ny.gov/tickets/get-copy-tvb-ticket, fill out the requested information, and you will be able to order a replacement. 2. If yours was a parking or moving v

Even the best drivers may find themselves the target of a police car’s sirens and flashing lights. When you're pulled over, be sure you following the protocol below to ensure you don't escalate the situation: 1. As soon as you realize you're being pulled over, use your turning signal and change lanes until you can stop in a place that is safe for both you and the officer. Then turn off your engine and roll down your window. 2. If it’s dark, put on your interior car lights and

You probably assume that if you're arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)—also known as DUI (Driving Under the Influence)—you have no defense and it's a lost cause to fight the charge. False! The penalties for a DWI/DUI charge in New York include hefty fines, the suspension or revocation of your driver's license for up to one year, and required installation of an ignition interlock device on any vehicles registered in your name. These consequences will have serious repe

​ ​​ ​Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious crime with maximum penalties potentially adding up to thousands of dollars in fines and years in prison. The consequences for driving away from the scene of a car accident vary, depending on whether anyone was hurt or the driver has prior convictions for the same driving offense. These are the charges and penalties you may face in New York State if you drive away from the scene of a car accident: If neither a person or anima

One of the biggest mistakes people make when receiving a traffic ticket is to automatically plead guilty and pay the fine. Instead, follow these five steps and there's a strong possibility you'll either reduce the number of points added to your driving record, eliminate points altogether, lower your fine, and and keep your car insurance low. Here's what to do: 1. REMEDY THE PROBLEM ASAP. If you receive a summons for an equipment violation, such as having tinted car windows,

As an experienced traffic attorney, I've found that few people know what the term "reckless driving" means and what its penalties are. And that's unfortunate because in New York State, reckless driving is considered a misdemeanor—which is defined as a criminal charge and results in a criminal record. Driving recklessly is not to be taken lightly, so it's important to be in the know to prevent safety and legal problems. Q. What is reckless driving? A. Reckless driving is defin

The roads surrounding school buildings, considered school zones, typically have reduced speed limits to ensure the safety of students. Heavy speeding fines will be imposed if you ignore those speed limits Speed limits in school zones can vary, although the lowest speed limit that is allowed in New York is 15 miles per hour. It can extend about a quarter of a mile away from the school. Fines for driving over the speed limit vary, depending on how fast you're going over the spe

The average New Yorker pays $1,181.86 a year for car insurance premiums. However, car insurance rates vary heavily based on several factors including your driving history. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, one of the most important factors that auto insurers look at when setting your premiums is your traffic ticket history. Their assumption is that Motorists with more traffic tickets and violations, are statistically more likely to get into traffic accidents. Usu

Red light camera tickets are becoming increasingly common. They are installed, usually at busy intersections, as a way to spot drivers who disregard a red light traffic signal. These cameras, triggered by sensors when a vehicle enters an intersection while the traffic light is red, take a photo of the front license plate and driver. Typically, you won't realize that the camera has caught you running a red light until you receive a ticket with a photo of the license plate. I

The first thing New York police will do if they pull you over on the road is ask for your car insurance. Since driving without auto insurance is a criminal offense in New York, if you fail to provide proof of owning it, the consequences are considerable: The ramifications of driving without car insurance can include: $150-$1,500 penalty, plus additional costs to restore your license Up to 15 days in jail Suspension or revocation of your car registration Suspension of your dri

Having your driver's license suspended can be devastating for many reasons. It can lead to pricey fines, incarceration, and, at the very least, a great deal of inconvenience, especially if you need to drive to get to your job. Here are some of the serious repercussions of driving with a suspended license in New York State. As you can see they depend on various circumstances: Aggravated Unlicensed Operation (AUO) of a motor vehicle in the Third Degree (AUO 3rd)—In most cases,

If you do plan on driving after having 1 or more drinks take steps to keep your Blood Alcohol level (BAC) below the legal limit. Calculating how alcohol affects your BAC based on your weight can help you determine how much you can legally drink and drive without getting arrested. In addition, eating, sleeping, hydrating and waiting a period of time will also help your body process the alcohol before you drive. However, keep in mind this is not a 100% guaranteed method to ensu