While jaywalking is illegal in New Jersey, the jaywalking laws have seldom been enforced. Fort Lee police are intent on changing that, however, and are now issuing tickets to surprised pedestrians.
"Even [to] kids," said Chief Tom Ripoli. "We just hope their parents would make them pay the fine. After all, this is for the safety of the public."
]]> Since March of this year, Fort Lee police have issued 117 tickets, each carrying an $85 fine.For instance, the "Stop, Look and Wave" program in Ridgewood teaches students not only to be careful when crossing the street, but also to wear light-colored clothes at night so they are more visible, to make eye contact with drivers, and to wave at drivers to make sure that they see them.
What do you think of the increased crackdown on jaywalking? Is it unnecessary or long overdue?
Stay tuned for further updates on this story from our New York traffic law blog ...
If you or a loved one has received a speeding ticket or other traffic citation, don't just dismiss it. Instead, consider contacting an attorney who understands New York's confusing legal system, and who can help you evaluate your options and make the right decisions.
This post was provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.
Source:
The Record, "Deaths push Fort Lee to take jaywalking seriously," John Cichowski, May 11, 2012
]]>According to reports, the Niagara Falls Police Department issued at least a dozen parking tickets last weekend to curious onlookers who made the trip to Seneca Niagara Casino to watch Wallenda rehearse on a practice tightrope designed to mimic the treacherous conditions he will face while attempting to cross the falls.
The crackdown on parking has left many onlookers understandably upset.
"Instead of trying to capitalize on people trying to see this once in a lifetime event, in Niagara Falls, on the U.S. side, which is obviously depressed, they should be very happy people are here and treat them with respect so people want to come back and spend money with the local merchants," said one angry observer who traveled from Buffalo to see the spectacle.
]]> In fact, Wallenda himself expressed some level of disgust over the ticketing patterns of the Niagara Falls PD."It is upsetting to me that people are coming from all over the place to see me rehearse and they've been getting tickets on the road as they're watching me," he said. That is upsetting to me."
According to Captain John DeMarco, however, his officers are only doing their duty issuing the $25 traffic citations.
"We have an obligation to the city to enforce the parking regulations down there. There are some things we can overlook and there are some things we can't and won't overlook," he said.
DeMarco also indicated that his department is working overtime to ensure that Wallenda's walk on June 15 -- which is expected to draw up to 50,000 people -- goes smoothly in terms of both safety and parking.
Stay tuned for more from our New York vehicle traffic law blog ...
If you have been issued a traffic violation, fight to keep your driving privileges and your insurance premiums as low as possible. Consider contacting an attorney who understands New York's confusing legal system, and who can help you evaluate your options and make the right decisions.
This post was provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.
Source:
WIVB-4, "Parking tickets draw Wallenda's ire," Ed Drantch, May 15, 2012
]]>While it's true that New York City issues the most parking tickets of any major U.S. city -- more than 10 million a year -- both city officials and so-called parking advocates argue that parking enforcement in general is about more than just ticket quotas and filling the city's coffers.
"Ticketing isn't designed to be punitive. It's about fairness and turnover," said Isaiah Mouw, the general manager of Republic Parking System. "Successful downtowns depend on available parking to allow customers to patronize shops and restaurants and get where they want to go."
]]> Interestingly, the International Parking Institute has compiled a few basic tips for motorists on how to avoid parking tickets:Stay tuned for more from our New York vehicle traffic law blog ...
If you have been issued a traffic violation, fight to keep your driving privileges and your insurance premiums as low as possible. Consider contacting an attorney who understands New York's confusing legal system, and who can help you evaluate your options and make the right decisions.
This post was provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.
Source:
Forbes, "How to avoid getting a parking ticket," Jim Gorzelany, April 24, 2012
]]>Specifically, the advertisement -- which shows an annoyed woman handing her drivers' license to a police officer with his ticket book open -- criticizes the department for coercing officers into meeting ticket quotas and then unfairly disciplining them if traffic violations are thrown out because of a technicality.
"Don't blame the cop ... New York City police officers are being subjected to undue pressure to write summonses to as many motorists as possible, and they are being subjected to undue pressure to convict as many motorists as possible," reads the ad. "With all these pressures, the cop loses, the public loses and the traffic court justice system loses. The only winner may be the city's treasury."
]]> In the aftermath of the ticket fixing scandal that rocked New York City last year -- particularly the Bronx -- New York Police Department (NYPD) officials have been working overtime to uncover any potential improprieties on the part of police officers in issuing traffic violations.Specifically, IA investigators have been showing up in increasing numbers to traffic court to gauge the testimony provided by officers concerning past traffic tickets.
According to the PBA, however, these efforts by the department have proven to be unwarranted, unnecessary and unduly punitive toward police officers simply trying to do their jobs.
"They are still sending Internal Affairs sergeants to harass our guys at traffic court," said Al O'Leary, a PBA spokesperson. "They are pressing our guys to write summonses, and hitting them with three days lost vacation, costing them $900, if they don't dot an i and cross a t. Our members are furious."
It should be interesting to see how this rare public protest by the PBA plays out.
Stay tuned for more from our New York vehicle traffic law blog ...
If you have been issued a traffic citation, fight to keep your driving privileges and your insurance premiums as low as possible. Consider contacting an attorney who understands New York's confusing legal system, and who can help you evaluate your options and make the right decisions.
This post was provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.
Source:
The Village Voice, "PBA: Blame NYPD for ticket quotas; cops unfairly targeted by Internal Affairs," Graham Rayman, May 7, 2012
]]>On Wednesday, the State Senate approved Senate Bill 4740C (S. 4740C), which would mandate that certain classes of motorists convicted of drunk driving take a motor vehicle accident prevention course.
Specifically, S. 4740C -- sponsored by Senator Owen H. Johnson -- would mandate that drivers take the accident prevention course under the following circumstances:
The legislation also states that those drivers who are taking the motor vehicle accident prevention course as part of their sentencing cannot use it as a method of reducing points against their license. In order to secure a point reduction, the offender may repeat the course.
]]> "Programs for drunk driver rehabilitation have proven very effective in reducing the number of instances of drunk driving," said Sen. Johnson. "This added component to the DWI or DUID penalty will help to educate and to deter our most dangerous traffic violators from repeating their crimes."S. 4740C now heads to the Assembly for a vote.
It is worth noting that back in February, New York lawmakers proposed a bill referred to as "Charlotte's Law" that would permanently terminate the driver's license of anyone convicted of a combination of three or more crimes, including:
Stay tuned for more from our New York traffic law blog ...
Being arrested for drunk driving can have a serious impact on your life in a number of ways and result in various penalties. In fact, many of these penalties are much more serious than the mere suspension or revocation of your license.
When faced with this scenario, consider contacting an attorney who understands New York's confusing legal system, and who can help you evaluate your options and make the right decisions.
This post was provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.
Sources:
The Long Island Exchange, "Senate passes bill to crack down on drunk drivers" May 2, 2012
The Saratogian, "Lawmakers want three strikes and you're out rule to apply to serial drunk drivers," Lucian McCarty, Feb. 18, 2012
]]>If you happen to be in Staten Island, you should be especially careful to keep your seatbelt buckled and your window tint at a legally acceptable level. Here, police have issued 1,169 citations for tinted windows violations and 1,498 citations for seatbelt violations.
As for speeding, Staten Island law enforcement officials have issued 1,035 speeding violations in 2012.
Interestingly, there has been a concerted effort across New York City to crack down on excessive tint, as many people are perhaps overzealous about protecting themselves from harmful ultraviolet rays. However, window tint tickets were not the most popular citation issued in other NYC neighborhoods.
]]> Breaking the figures down, the NYPD data reveals the following about traffic citation patterns in 2012:Stay tuned for more from our New York vehicle traffic law blog ...
If you have been issued a traffic violation, fight to keep your driving privileges and your insurance premiums as low as possible. Consider contacting an attorney who understands New York's confusing legal system, and who can help you evaluate your options and make the right decisions.
This post was provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.
Source:
The Epoch Times, "Several infractions top speeding on Staten Island," Zachary Stieber, May 1, 2012
]]>However, as you likely noticed, these discount bus carriers are becoming something of a nuisance, as they constantly battle for choice curbside locations to pick up/drop off passengers. Now, it appears that state lawmakers are looking to put the brakes on this low-cost transport option once and for all.
This past Monday, city and state officials -- including Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and City Councilwoman Margaret Chin -- held a press conference to announce the introduction of legislation that would require all intercity discount bus carriers to secure permits to use particular curbside pick-up and drop-off curbside locations.
"The streets of Manhattan, particularly Chinatown, have been overrun by private buses with no clear rules on how they are allowed to operate," said Speaker Silver.
]]> The proposed legislation calls for the following:It remains unclear whether the bill will pass before the end of the legislative session in June. A similar measure passed the Assembly last year but was ultimately shot down by the Senate.
Interestingly, large bus carriers such as Greyhound and Adirondack Trailways are lukewarm towards the legislation, indicating that they will continue to suffer from a competitive disadvantage as they currently pay millions of dollars a year for space in the Port Authority Bus Terminal while discount bus carriers operate curbside for far less.
"As proposed, the legislation is likely to put into overdrive the proliferation of individual bus operators moving out of the Port Authority Bus Terminal and on to the streets because of the huge disparity in fees," said a released statement from a coalition of large bus carriers. "For example, Greyhound would likely pay more in a few hours to keep its service in the PABT than it would pay for an entire year if it moves its service to the street."
Stay tuned for further updates on this story from our New York traffic law blog ...
If you or a loved one has received a speeding ticket or traffic citation, don't just dismiss it.
Instead, consider contacting an attorney who understands New York's confusing legal system, and who can help you evaluate your options and make the right decisions.
This post was provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.
Source:
Crain's New York, "State bill would curb 'wild west' of discount buses," Jeremy Smerd, April 23, 2012
]]>According to a story in the Sunday edition of The Star-Ledger -- which cited heavily from two complaints sent to the New Jersey Turnpike Authority -- on the afternoon of March 30, two State Police patrol cars with their lights activated escorted a group of high-end sports cars down the Garden State Parkway to Atlantic City.
The group -- which included Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Porsches with black tape covering their license plates -- was allegedly traveling in excess of 100 miles-per-hour.
One witness, who called the caravan "Death Race 2012," offered a rather vivid depiction of the scene in his email complaint.
"I had the great pleasure today of nearly being killed by, not one, but two, Lamborghinis traveling in excess of 110 mph in a (New Jersey State Police) escorted 'caravan' of approximately 30 exotic vehicles all traveling well over 100 mph."
]]> Almost immediately after the story was published in the Sunday edition of The Star-Ledger, authorities launched the investigation that resulted in the suspension of the two troopers, as well as the reassignment of a station commander. They also determined that the caravan traveled down the Atlantic City Expressway and the New Jersey Turnpike."We will not tolerate any conduct by a member of the State Police that puts the public in jeopardy, as this unauthorized caravan had the potential to do," said Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa in a released statement.
As it turns out, these same authorities have now launched a second investigation following yet another breaking story by The Star-Ledger detailing a similar high-speed caravan that took place back in 2010. However, this time the story is accompanied by actual amateur video of the incident.
One of the more compelling aspects of this story is that an attorney for one of the two suspended troopers is claiming that Brandon Jacobs -- the former Giants star running back who signed with the 49ers over the off-season -- requested the police escort last month.
Jacob's agent has denied that his client knew anything about a police escort.
Stay tuned for further updates on this story from our New York traffic law blog ...
If you or a loved one has received a speeding ticket, don't just dismiss it.
Instead, consider contacting an attorney who understands New York's confusing legal system, and who can help you evaluate your options and make the right decisions.
This post was provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.
Sources:
The Star-Ledger, "Second N.J. trooper suspended amid high-speed caravan investigation," Christopher Baxter, April 24, 2012
The Star-Ledger, "N.J. state troopers face probe for 'Death Race 2012' down Parkway to AC," Christopher Baxter, April 22, 2012
]]>According to reports, police had a bench warrant out for Budden and he was taken into custody for the traffic ticket by the New York Police Department just before his show. While the timing of the arrest is unfortunate, it is possible that the rapper just forgot he had the traffic ticket. After a few years passed he maybe even lost the actual ticket.
]]> With a hectic schedule, and clearly a high demand for his shows, the traffic ticket was likely unpaid on accident. If someone is arrested for a traffic ticket, it might be wise for them to speak with an experienced New York City attorney. They can help work to make sure a $75 ticket doesn't turn into something worse.Many people forget to pay their traffic tickets, and it shouldn't cost them time in prison, or more expensive fines. Sometimes mistakes just happen. While some people might forget to pay their traffic tickets, it is also possible that a lose ticket on a windshield blew away and the person was completely unaware they ever received a ticket.
Speaking with an attorney can be helpful in fighting the charges against someone for a traffic ticket violation. They may be able to help get the charges reduced or eliminated depending on the situation.
Source: Hip Hop Wired, "Joe Budden Explains Arrest Over Unpaid Traffic Ticket From 2007," Alvin Aqua Blanco, March 30, 2012
]]>Interestingly, one California man -- who just happens to be a physicist at the University of California, San Diego -- decided to use a very unique tool to fight his traffic ticket: his science background.
According to reports, Dmitri K. was issued a traffic violation for failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign, a driving infraction that comes with a $400 fine.
Understandably outraged, Dmitri K. penned a four page academic paper entitled "The Proof of Innocence," and submitted it to the traffic court judge. Here, the paper -- complete with equations and graphs -- explained in very complex mathematical terms how it was that he didn't actually fail to stop at the controlled intersection.
]]> A brief sampling of Dmitri K.'s paper shows the full extent of his knowledge and his belief in his innocence:"We show that if a car stops at a stop sign, an observer, e.g., a police officer, located at a certain distance perpendicular to the car trajectory, must have an illusion that the car does not stop, if the following three conditions are satisfied: (1) the observer measures not the linear but angular speed of the car; (2) the car decelerates and subsequently accelerates relatively fast; and (3) there is a short-time obstruction of the observer's view of the car by an external object, e.g., another car, at the moment when both cars are near the stop sign."
According to experts, Dmitri K.'s argument is essentially that he did indeed stop at the stop sign, but that the officer simply failed to see it and that his view was partially obscured by another car.
However impressive this tactic, did it succeed in convincing the traffic court judge of his innocence?
As it turns out, the traffic court judge ended up acquitting Dmitri K.
It is worth noting that after his acquittal, Dmitri K. added a subtitle to his academic paper: "A way to fight your traffic tickets. The paper was awarded a special prize of $400 that the author did not have to pay the state of California."
Stay tuned for more from our New York vehicle traffic law blog ...
If you have been issued a traffic violation, fight to keep your driving privileges and your insurance premiums as low as possible. Consider contacting an attorney who understands New York's confusing legal system, and who can help you evaluate your options and make the right decisions.
This post was provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.
Source:
ABC News, "Physicist beats traffic ticket with mathematical paper," Ned Potter, April 16, 2012
]]>According to reports, Assemblyman Nelson Albano (D-Vineland) was pulled over by Trooper Randy P. back on February 21 for going 71 miles-per-hour in a 55 mile-per-hour zone. Upon being issued his speeding ticket, Albano -- who has been in office since 2006 -- purportedly told Trooper Randy P. of his unwavering support for police during his time in office.
"I remember saying, yes, 'Can you cut me a break?'" Albano recently told The Star-Ledger of Newark. "I've always supported the state police, I was elected as legislator of the year because of what I have done supporting the police, can't you cut me a break?' At that point the trooper said, 'Here's the number on the ticket to call the courts.' That was it."
Interestingly enough, it appears that wasn't actually the end of the matter.
]]> A little less than a week later, Albano penned an angry letter to Col. Rick Fuentes, the Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, complaining about the traffic stop. Specifically, he claimed that Trooper Randy P. had treated him like a criminal, delayed his attendance at Governor Chris Christie's budget address and, more significantly, that he had been targeted by the state police as part of a broader scheme of retribution for recent benefit and pension reforms approved by the legislature.It should be noted, however, that Albano has since recanted the last two allegations, admitting that he was not late for Gov. Christie's address and that he had no proof to back up the retribution scheme. In fact, he even apologized just yesterday for the entire incident, including asking to be let out of the speeding ticket.
"I received this ticket at a difficult time for me personally, but in the end I want to make clear that I do not expect special treatment," he said in a released statement. "I apologize for giving any appearance that special treatment was expected. That never was intended."
Interestingly enough, Trooper Randy P. has now filed a complaint of his own, alleging that ranking union officials unfairly pressured him to "take of [the] summons" for Albano, and that the complaint filed against him was meant to serve as punishment that would prevent him from securing a promotion.
Now the entire incident is the subject of an internal investigation by state police officials.
Stay tuned for further updates on this story from our New York traffic law blog ...
If you or a loved one has received a speeding ticket, don't just dismiss it.
Instead, consider contacting an attorney who understands New York's confusing legal system, and who can help you evaluate your options and make the right decisions.
This post was provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.
Source:
The Journal News, "NJ lawmaker apologizes for traffic ticket flap," Bruce Shipkowski, April 16, 2012
]]>Interestingly, it appears that one state lawmaker has heard the concerns of these parties and is now actively taking steps to help combat the dangers posed by speeding motorists in New York City.
In early 2012, Assemblywoman Deborah Glick (D-Manhattan) introduced legislation entitled "The Neighborhood Speeds on Neighborhood Streets Act," calling for the installation of as many as 40 "speed limit photo devices" throughout New York City to catch dangerous drivers in the act.
These speed limit photo devices would function very similarly to the city's 150 red light cameras, in that they would be mounted on busy streets, film motorists as they are breaking the speed limit and mail them a ticket.
]]> Glick is hoping that the legislation will not only help enforce speed limits but also result in a reduction in the overall number of fatal traffic accidents.While you may be wondering why this matter can't be handled solely by city officials, state law actually requires the city to receive approval from state officials before installing the traffic devices.
While the legislation -- also referred to as A07737 -- has 22 sponsors in the State Assembly, it currently needs one in the State Senate. A similar measure proposed by both Glick and State Senator Tom Duane (D-Manhattan) last year failed to generate the necessary momentum.
However, in light of recent media coverage and the sizeable attendance at the aforementioned City Council meeting, it appears that the issue of the danger posed by speeding drivers in New York City is gaining more attention, perhaps helping the bill's chances of passing.
Stay tuned for further updates from our New York traffic law blog ...
If you or a loved one has received a speeding ticket, don't just dismiss it.
Instead, consider contacting an attorney who understands New York's confusing legal system, and who can help you evaluate your options and make the right decisions.
This post was provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.
Source:
Capital New York, "Pleading in Albany for speed-limit cameras in New York City," Dana Rubinstein, April 9, 2012
]]>While these are all good guesses that could perhaps be accurate, most people would fail to name tax day, meaning the last day to file individual income taxes with the IRS.
As it turns out, this much reviled day -- which falls on April 17 this year -- is one of the most deadly days on U.S. roads.
According to a recently published study in the Journal of the American Medical Association by Canadian researchers, fatal car crashes increase by as much as six percent on tax day.
Specifically, they examined tax deadline information provided by the IRS and fatal car crash data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) from 1980 to 2009, comparing traffic fatalities from the 30 tax days with traffic fatalities on days one week before and one week after.
]]> Their research indicated 213 fatal car wrecks for each of the 60 control days selected and 226 fatal car wrecks for each of the tax days selected."An increase of risk in this magnitude is about the same as what we observe on Super Bowl Sunday, a time notorious in the U.S. for drinking and driving," said Dr. Donald Redelmeier of the University of Toronto.
Redelmeier identified excess stress, alcohol abuse, lack of sleep and impatience on the road as the primary reasons for the bump in traffic fatalities on tax day -- not an increased number of cars making mad dashes to accountants and post offices.
Accordingly, he advises motorists to buckle up, abide by the speed limit, watch their alcohol intake, avoid distractions and drive rationally during tax day.
Stay tuned for more our New York vehicle traffic law blog ...
If you have been issued a traffic citation, fight to keep your driving privileges and your insurance premiums as low as possible. Consider contacting an attorney who understands New York's confusing legal system, and who can help you evaluate your options and make the right decisions.
This post was provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.
Source:
Bloomberg, "Death, Taxes Collide as Fatal Crashes Mount on Filing Day," Nicole Ostrow, April 10, 2012
]]>Yet another form of protest favored by some people is attempting to pay the entire amount of the ticket in spare change, something they feel would prove extra taxing and time-consuming to state or city workers.
Interestingly, a 25-year-old college student in Fort Collins, Colorado, recently attempted to do just this. However, he wasn't trying to make any sort of political statement or joke, rather he did so because spare change was all that he had.
]]> According to reports, Ted N., had previously been issued a $160 speeding ticket and attempted to pay the fine with a change bucket containing exactly the amount owed (a bank had counted it out for him).However, the court workers would not take it, claiming it would take far too long to count and that he would need to come up with another way to pay the traffic citation.
"I had the bank count it, but they wanted to charge me to turn it into bills. And I don't have the money for that," said a frustrated Ted N., who was short of funds after paying his monthly rent.
The court workers seemed less than compassionate for Ted N.'s plight.
"It's not prudent use of taxpayer funds to have one of the clerks sit there counting quarters, nickels and pennies," said the municipal court supervisor. "We don't have the staffing to hand-count coins. I think the taxpayers would not be happy if we were spending hours counting a large amount of coin."
While Ted N.'s bank could count the coins and eventually credit his account, it could take up to a week. This is problematic because his traffic court hearing is scheduled to take place in only a few days.
"If they don't accept my payment, they might suspend my license, which is going to cause a whole bunch of other problems," he said.
It remains to be seen how Ted N. will resolve his problem. However, it should be noted that the county parking office -- located just across the lobby from the court office -- has its very own change-counting machine.
Stay tuned for further updates from our New York traffic law blog ...
If you or a loved one has received a speeding ticket, don't just dismiss it.
Instead, consider contacting an attorney who understands New York's confusing legal system, and who can help you evaluate your options and make the right decisions.
This post was provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice. Names have been withheld to protect the identities of the parties.
Source:
Colorado 9 News, "Fort Collins rejects coins as payment for ticket; coin counting machine across lobby" April 4, 2012
]]>According to a recent report by the nonprofit safety group Transportation Alternatives, motorists in New York City now have a much better chance of getting a ticket for texting while driving, drunk driving or driving with tinted windows than they do for speeding.
Consider the following findings by Transportation Alternatives:
Transportation Alternatives concedes that the city has made great strides in improving safety through the installation of red light cameras and improved road design. However, they feel that more work must be done by the police department to address the specific problem of speeding.
"Safer street designs have made the biggest impact on safety," said Michael Murphy, a spokesperson for the group. "But street designs can only go so far, and that's why we need the NYPD to finally adopt a zero tolerance policy for dangerous driving."
Here, Transportation Alternatives is calling for the NYPD's Transportation Bureau to receive more funding and for the unit to use this additional funding to focus on speeding enforcement.
What are your thoughts on this issue? Are the authorities doing too much or too little to address speeding?
Stay tuned for further updates from our New York traffic law blog ...
If you or a loved one has received a speeding ticket, don't just dismiss it.
Instead, consider contacting an attorney who understands New York's confusing legal system, and who can help you evaluate your options and make the right decisions.
This post was provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.
Source:
The Queens Chronicle, "Speeding number one killer in traffic" March 22, 2012
]]>