Traffic Ticket Lawyer, Traffic Ticket Attorney

02/23/2019

The Suffolk County amnesty for traffic tickets was extended until 2-28-19. If you have an unpaid traffic ticket with the traffic court in Suffolk, you have a few more days to avoid paying any traffic ticket penalties.

This was my prior post on this topic;
The Suffolk County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency is giving a break to drivers with unpaid traffic tickets through a new amnesty program. Unpaid traffic, parking, and red-light camera tickets in Suffolk can settle up and avoid the penalties. The newly announced amnesty program started 12-4-18 and ends on 2-20-19. The agency's executive director reports there are nearly 550,000 unpaid tickets in the county. This is good news because this can resolve tickets (and suspensions) by avoiding paying the penalties. For some people, this means savings. For other people, this means getting their license back. Note that after 2-20-19, unpaid tickets can result in Suffolk County enforcing unpaid tickets by putting a boot lock on vehicles. Contact us to see how we can help you, or someone you know, resolve unpaid tickets. Phone: 631-265-0102. Ronald S. Cook, Attorney

12/13/2018

NEW! The Suffolk County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency is giving a break to drivers with unpaid traffic tickets through a new amnesty program. Unpaid traffic, parking, and red-light camera tickets in Suffolk can settle up and avoid the penalties. The newly announced amnesty program started 12-4-18 and ends on 2-20-19. The agency's executive director reports there are nearly 550,000 unpaid tickets in the county. This is good news because this can resolve tickets (and suspensions) by avoiding paying the penalties. For some people, this means savings. For other people, this means getting their license back. Note that after 2-20-19, unpaid tickets can result in Suffolk County enforcing unpaid tickets by putting a boot lock on vehicles. Contact us to see how we can help you, or someone you know, resolve unpaid tickets.
Phone: 631-265-0102. Ronald S. Cook, Attorney

12/01/2018

08/18/2018

Are red light cameras saving lives? The data says yes.

In Nassau County, accidents at intersections with red-light cameras were down 26 percent in 2016, compared with the number of crashes in the 12-month period before the cameras were installed at each intersection. Crashes with injuries were down 39 percent, head-on collisions declined 84 percent, side-impact collisions dipped 1 percent and rear-end accidents were down 34 percent.

Both Nassau county and Suffolk county are authorized to install cameras at 100 intersections. Nassau has them at 86 intersections, with the number increasing gradually since 2010 and the number of cameras at some intersections increasing, too.

Accidents for all of Nassau have declined, too, but not as much as at the red-light camera intersections, where 5 percent of the county’s collisions occur. According to preliminary figures, total accidents in Nassau County in 2017 were down 12 percent compared with 2010, while auto fatalities declined 20 percent and accidents with injuries declined 11 percent.

County officials say they believe the annual total of miles driven in Nassau has increased. And to show cameras do work to improve habits, the officials point to data showing infractions generally decline at an intersection a few years after cameras are installed.

Mixed results in Suffolk: In Suffolk County, the news is more mixed because the data is compiled differently.

The county began installing cameras in 2010, and had nearly maxed out its allotment by 2014. In 2016, total collisions at red-light intersections in the county were 1.5 percent higher, compared with the annual average for the three years before the program began, 2007-09. However, accidents with injuries declined 1.5 percent. Dangerous right-angle collisions were down 23 percent, but rear-end collisions were 35 percent higher. That’s a daunting number, but the data suggest, and county officials believe, that new driver distractions like smartphones are causing the increase in rear-end collisions, not late braking to avoid red-light camera tickets.

Suffolk’s rear-end collisions on all roads are up 23 percent compared with 2009, and up a nearly identical 22 percent at red-light-camera intersections in that span.

Related considerations: Many drivers don’t focus on driving as they talk on and play with phones and attend to navigation systems and other gadgets. There are critics that claim yellow-light times were reduced to induce violations, however, officials in both counties categorically deny it has ever happened.

03/24/2018

If you need help with any kind of New York, traffic ticket, let us know. Call 888-275-2620.

If you move, you need to change your address with the DMV within 10 days. This is important because if the DMV sends you a notice of any kind, and you don't receive that notice, the resulting consequences will become a problem.

For example, suppose that you receive a red light camera ticket. The notice is mailed to your OLD address. Your mail forwarding fails. Your license could get suspended because you did not even know to respond to that red light ticket!

Address Change in New York: If you have just moved to New York or have moved within the state, you must update your address with the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You will need to apply for or update your:
NY driver's license or ID card.
New York certificate of title.
NY vehicle registration.

The NY state DMV requires you to update your address within 10 days of moving. If you are a military member temporarily stationed outside of New York, you do not need to report an address change.

You may change your address online, by mail, by phone or in person at your local NY DMV office. You cannot report your address change by email.

You will not receive updated documents when you change your address on NY DMV records. You can simply write your new address on:
The back of your NY driver's license/ID card.
Your vehicle registration document (cross off your old address).
NOTE: Do not write on your certificate of title. You must apply for a replacement title if you wish to have an up-to-date document. See the “Replace Your NY Vehicle Title" section below.

If you would like replacement documents showing your new address, you can apply for an updated NY driver's license/ID card, vehicle registration and title separately.

01/13/2018

Long Island Police Officers have issued drivers several moving violation tickets for a single driving offense relating to the alleged misuse of the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane. If a driver enters or exits the HOV lane where it is prohibited to do so, the Officer frequently issues a ticket for New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law section 1128.D for having Crossed Hazardous Markings. Because the driver the crossed where it is prohibited, the officer often issues a second charge for Vehicle & Traffic Law section 1128.A, for an unsafe lane change. That is, because the driver crossed the hazardous markings, the lane change was unsafe. Two tickets issued for one single driving act. In some instances, the Officer will issue an additional charge for Vehicle & Traffic Law section 1110.A for disobeying the sign or pavement markings which prohibits the entry into or exit out of the HOV lane. Our law firm can get points and fines reduced. Give us a call to assist. Ron Cook

11/18/2017

Drivers in Billings, Montana, were able to breathe a sigh of relief after getting pulled over by police last week. Instead of handing out tickets for minor traffic violations — like a broken tail light — on Wednesday, officers gifted 20 lucky drivers with a special holiday treat. After asking for a driver's license and registration, officers returned to their patrol cars to scan for any outstanding warrants. If everything checked out, they returned with a simply written warning and a frozen turkey in hand!

09/26/2017

What is the Driver Violation Point System “Points” and how does it work? Questions? Call the law firm at 888-275-2620

If you receive 3 speeding tickets, within 18 months, your license can be SUSPENDED.

If you receive 2 cell phone violations, within 18 months, your license can be SUSPENDED.

If you receive 6 or more points on your New York State driving record in 18 months,

you must pay a Driver Responsibility Assessment fee.

The Driver Violation Point System gives the New York State DMV a way to identify and take action against high risk drivers. The DMV assigns points for certain traffic violations. If you get 11 points in an 18-month period, your driver license may be suspended. However, the point system is not the only way to lose your license.

How your point total is calculated:
•you must be convicted of the traffic violation before points are added to your driving record
•your point total is calculated based on the date of the violation, not the date of the conviction
•the points for violations that all occurred within the last 18 months are TOTALED

Number of points assigned for common traffic violations / Violation Points
Speeding – MPH over speed limit not indicated 3
Speeding 1 – 10 MPH over speed limit 3
Speeding 11 – 20 MPH over speed limit 4
Speeding 21 – 30 MPH over speed limit 6
Speeding 31 – 40 MPH over speed limit 8
Speeding More than 40 MPH over speed limit 11 Reckless driving 5
Failed to stop for a school bus 5
Inadequate brakes 4
Improper cell phone use 5
Following too closely 4
Passing improperly or changing lanes unsafely 3
Driving to the left of center, driving in the wrong direction 3
Failed to obey a traffic signal, a stop sign, or a yield sign 3
Railroad crossing violation 3
Failed to yield the right-of-way 3
Passenger safety violation 3 (see below)
(including seat belt and child safety seat violations for passengers under the age of 16)
Left the scene of an accident that includes property damage or the injury of a domestic animal 3
Other moving violations 2
Inadequate brakes (vehicle of an employer) 2
Use of portable electronic device (“texting”) 5
Insurance Premiums
Insurance companies have their own point systems and can increase your premiums based on your driving record. Contact your insurance company for more information.
Point and Insurance Reduction Program
If you take a DMV-approved Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) course, you can:
•reduce your driver violation point total by a maximum of 4 points
•save 10 percent on your automobile liability and collision insurance premiums.
Questions? Call the law firm at 888-275-2620

08/24/2017

Receiving a traffic ticket may seem like a minor occurrence; however, there could be surprising and substantial consequences that can occur if convicted of certain offenses and depending on your overall driving record. The ability to drive in New York is a privilege and the accumulation of too many points can result in substantial fines, administrative fees issued by the NYS DMV, the suspension or revocation of your driver's license, a rise in your insurance rate, or even a sentence of jail time depending on your record and what offense you may be facing.
Our law firm is familiar with the NYS point system and can counsel you on the status of your license and what is needed to avoid a suspension or revocation. In addition, many courts will allow an attorney to appear and handle your case without you ever having the inconvenience and aggravation of having to appear in court at all.
Our clients have included individual drivers as well as companies and corporations whose drivers get tickets. If you are a commercial driver or need your license to work, the impact of a conviction may be significant. Our firm has successfully represented drivers with high speeding charges, reckless driving accusations, suspended license or registration charges, cell phone violations & infractions of all types.
In many cases, our law firm can save you points, time and money by negotiating a favorable resolution or by taking the case to trial if needed. Get someone on your side that can answer your questions and protect your right to drive.

07/23/2017

You can count on Attorney Ronald S. Cook helping you with your traffic ticket. Our legal fee is often only $250.
Call today to send a lawyer to court FOR you and reduce your traffic ticket points and fines.
HUNDREDS OF TESTIMONIALS!
http://speedingticketny.attorney/customer-testimonials

04/30/2017

Will a traffic ticket raise my insurance?

To affect your car insurance, a ticket of any kind – speeding, DUI, reckless driving -- must be considered a moving violation and must appear on your driving record.
In order for an insurance company to raise your rates, your ticket must appear on your motor vehicle record.
Your rates won’t increase until the insurer checks your motor vehicle record. Some carries will check your motor vehicle record at every insurance renewal. Some carriers check less frequently, especially for longtime customers with clean records.

Violations and tickets that can increase your insurance rates:
DUI or other impaired driving
Refusing breath or blood test for impairment
Reckless driving
Failure to stop after an accident
Fleeing from police
Racing
Driving on a suspended license

If you have a clean record, the minor violations below might not bring a rate increase. If you already have a minor violation on your record, though, it’s much more likely the second one will bring a rate increase. If you were involved in an accident at the same time you received the ticket, you are likely to get a surcharge for the accident or the ticket, but not both.
Some violations, such as no proof of insurance or not carrying your driver’s license, are typically correctable if you show proof to the court, which then dismisses them. If you don’t provide evidence, the violation would go on your record.

If you have a clean record, the minor violations below might not bring a rate increase.
Speeding
Texting
Failure to yield
Improper passing
Improper turn
Following too closely
Driving without insurance or no proof of insurance
Passing a school bus
Expired or missing driver’s license
Child-seat violations

Violations and tickets that generally do not increase insurance rates:
Seat-belt tickets
Texting and cellphone violations
Equipment violations such as broken lights
Failure to display license plates
Noise violations
Parking violations
Registration violations
Failure-to-appear violations
How much will my insurance rates increase after a ticket?

I read an article that listed the average amount your insurance rates will increase which was based on a study of 490,000 insurance quotes:
Geico $156
State Farm $686
Farmers $710
Progressive $714
Nationwide $818
Allstate $1,044
Average $688

Below is how much common infractions will affect insurance rates (on average)
Violation % increase in insurance rate
Reckless driving 22%
DUI 1st offense 19%
Driving without a license 18%
Careless driving 16%
Speeding: 13%
30 mph over the speed limit 15%
15 to 29 mph over the speed limit 12%
1 to 14 mph over the speed limit 11%
Failure to stop 15%
Improper turn 14%
Improper passing 14%
Tailgating (following too close)13%
Failure to yield 9%
No car insurance 6%
Seat belt infractions 3%

02/07/2017

NY auto inspections measure window tinting starting 01-01-2017

On November 28, 2016 Governor Cuomo signed a bill into law that states as of January 1, 2017, testing the visible light transmission (VLT) of window tint is now a mandatory part of a vehicle’s annual state inspection test. New York State law already required a 70-percent VLT or higher, one of the highest VLT requirements of any state. The main reasoning behind the law is to make sure law enforcement can see drivers clearly.

You can only have 30 percent tint, 70 percent transmittance through your front window, driver side, passenger side, front windows and your rear window if you only have one door mirror.

If you have a certain type of vehicle and tinted windows, you can still pass your inspection.
If you have a suburban registration, you can tint the rear doors and the rear section according to NY state law.

Prior to the new law’s enactment, police officers would use tint meters to test VLT at their discretion, but now, all auto inspection shops must be equipped with tint meters to test for compliance with the state’s tint law. If a vehicle’s tint registers below 70 percent, it won’t pass inspection.