How Tread Wear and Tire Pressure Affects Speed

Most drivers realize that tire wear can affect traction and even fuel efficiency, but what few recognize is that worn-out tires can also affect the accuracy of your speedometer.

Your speedometer assumes your car is using the standard size tire for the make and model and calculates your speed based on the rotation of the axis. As tires wear out, the circumference (the distance around the outside of the tire) decreases. As such, each rotation of the axle moves the car less distance than it would have with a full tire.

For example, if your car uses a tire with a 24-inch diameter, it would have a circumference of 75.36 inches. If the tire loses ½ inch from wear, the total circumference would decrease to 73.79 inches (a 2% difference), and would require 1.02 rotations to go the same distance a brand new tire covers in one rotation. In terms of speed, this means that when your speedometer reads 60 mph the car is really only going 58.8 mph.

The inverse can occur if you overinflate your tires. If you overinflate your 24-inch tires so that they are a half-inch larger in diameter, your speedometer will read 60 mph, but the vehicle will actually be traveling at 61.2 mph. It doesn’t seem like a huge deal, but this could be the difference between going 10 mph over the limit (a $150 ticket) and 11 mph over the limit (a $300 ticket).

The good news is that neither worn out nor overinflated tires are likely to land you an unjustified speeding ticket. The bad news is you can’t use either as an excuse to fight a speeding ticket.

In New York, a speeding ticket costs at least $150, plus surcharges, and if you end up with six points or more on your license, you could also be required to pay a driver responsibility assessment of $100. At speeding ticket also carries at least three points on your license and can cause your insurance rates to skyrocket by hundreds of dollars.

If you or a loved one has been caught speeding, it is advisable that you imperative an attorney to help you avoid the costs associated with a ticket. The lawyers of the Rosenblum Law Firm are skilled New York traffic ticket attorneys who are experienced in handling tickets for speeding as well as other driving-related offenses. Call 888-203-2619 or email the Rosenblum Law Firm today for a free consultation about your case.

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I Lost My NY Speeding Ticket; What To Do?

The first step to tracking down your traffic ticket is to determine the agency in charge of handling your ticket.  In the State of New York traffic tickets are handled by either the Traffic Violations Bureau or by a court of a local municipality or city. 

Tickets Pending in A City, Town, Village or Justice Court

Judge holding gavel in courtroom

If you lose your ticket you can track it by contacting the court that is handling the ticket. If you don’t know which court is handling the ticket, it can be tough because there is currently no statewide ticket tracking system that can be accessed by consumers online.  You should either contact a representative at the Department of Motor Vehicles or have them assist you in finding the ticket or contact an attorney to help.

Tickets Pending in the Traffic Violations Bureau

If the Traffic Violations Bureau is handling the ticket it can be tracked down in one of its many offices located across the state of New York or online.

What Options are Available to Handle of My Ticket?

lost NY Speeding Ticket

(a)  Pleading Guilty

Some people think that pleading guilty and accepting the fine is a simple method of taking care of the problem and ending it as soon as possible.  However by admitting your guilt you are accepting the charges and allowing them to be on your permanent driving record.  You will also receive points on your license that will surely affect insurance rates.  When you admit guilt you are forfeiting your chance at a trial and getting the charges dismissed altogether.

(b)  Pleading Not Guilty

If you plead guilty your matter will be scheduled for court. In all courts except the TVB the ticket can potentially be negotiated down to something less. In the TVB they do not reduce tickets and therefore you will be scheduled for a hearing or “trial”.  An attorney will help to insure that you have the needed legal skill and experience behind you to help you win your case and have the charges and the ticket reduced or dismissed.

Should I Hire An Attorney?

Wherever traffic tickets are concerned one of the best options you can take is to attempt to fight the charges in court.   A lawyer with experience has the training and expertise necessary to effectively help you successfully negotiate any charges you are facing till the outcomes turns in your favor.  Contact the Rosenblum Law Firm for help with traffic ticket cases.  The attorneys at the Rosenblum Law Firm have the experience necessary to help you receive the best possible outcome in your traffic ticket case.

 

Difference Between Yellow vs White Speed Limit Signs

What’s the Difference Between Yellow and White Speed Limit Signs?

Speed limit signs seem like the simplest thing in the world. You may have noticed, however, that some speed limit signs are yellow, while most are white. Seems like a minor thing, but there’s a difference between them that you should be aware of.

Yellow speed limit signs are also known as advisory speed limit signs. You’ll see these most often when roads curve. You might also see them on a stretch of road that is hilly or which suddenly narrows. Either way, it is a warning to drivers to reduce speed.

The limit on an advisory speed limit sign is always at least 5 mph lower than the rest of the roadway. The yellow color is intended to draw your attention so that you adjust your speed accordingly. In most cases, the advisory limit is temporary; once you have passed the stretch of road with the advisory-inducing conditions, a white sign will typically be posted indicating you can return to the old speed. However, it is possible for multiple advisory limits to appear back to back.

Can I Get a Ticket for Exceeding an Advisory Limit?

Advisory speed limits are not a legal speed limit; only the standard white speed limit signs carry the force of the law. Therefore, you cannot get a speeding ticket for disobeying an advisory speed limit sign. Yellow signs are simply a warning to drivers of a change in road conditions that may make their current speed dangerous. The number is usually based on the physics of the road, taking into account things like centrifugal force (around a bend) and angular momentum (at the top of a hill).

If an officer issues a speeding ticket, it is most likely for exceeding the official (white) speed limit. This will cost at least $150 plus a mandatory surcharge of $88-$93 and will lead to no less three points but as many as 11 points on your New York license, depending on how far above the standard limit you were going. Alternatively, there’s a chance you could get hit with a ticket for failure to reduce speed. This rarely-issued ticket penalizes drivers who do not slow down for special hazards, such as when approaching train tracks or the crest of a hill. It carries a maximum fine of $150 plus a mandatory surcharge of $88-$93 and three points on your license.

While exceeding an advisory speed is not illegal per se, it can be considered negligent. That means if you are involved in an accident while exceeding the advisory limit, you can be liable.

In addition to the fines and points, a conviction for any kind of speeding ticket can cause your auto insurance rates to skyrocket. If you or a loved one has been caught speeding, it is advisable that you consult an attorney to help you avoid the costs and points associated with a ticket. The lawyers of the Rosenblum Law Firm are skilled New York traffic ticket attorneys who are experienced in handling tickets for speeding as well as other driving-related offenses. Call 888-203-2619 or email the Rosenblum Law Firm today for a free consultation about your case.

New Google Maps Features Can Help Avoid a Speeding Ticket

Google Maps as begun rolling out two new mobile app that features can help drivers avoid speeding tickets. Both iOS and Android apps will now show speed limits and warn drivers of nearby speed cameras, according to multiple reports. The features were first spotted by tipsters writing in to Android Police. Google later confirmed the rollout in a statement to Mashable.

Drivers on unfamiliar roads can easily accidentally exceed the speed limit if they fail to notice street signage. Google’s new speed limit feature can help reduce the chances of unintentionally exceeding the legal limit.

Seeing the speed limit of the road one is traveling has been a standard feature on GPS devices for years. However, until recently, the only mobile app to show them was Waze (also owned by Google). Being able to see the speed limit while following GPS directions is especially helpful for those on highways and taking long road trips. The speed limit will show at the bottom left corner of the map when the navigation feature is turned on.

Also new to Google Maps is a feature that will produce an audio alert when a user approaches a speed camera. It’s unclear how much advance notice drivers will get of upcoming speed cameras, but the warning will nonetheless provide an opportunity to reduce one’s speed and potentially avoid a ticket.

The same feature may also soon alert drivers of possible speed traps—i.e. when police hang back just out of sight waiting to catch unsuspecting speeders. Waze already has a similar feature that lets users indicate areas of police activity, including DWI checkpoints. NYPD recently sent a letter to Google demanding it remove the feature, claiming it is illegal and endangers police lives.

If you or a loved one has been ticketed for speeding in New York or New Jersey, contact an attorney to reduce or avoid the consequences. The lawyers of the Rosenblum Law Firm are skilled traffic ticket attorneys with experience handling tickets for speeding as well as other driving-related offenses. Call 888-883-5529 or email the Rosenblum Law Firm today for a free consultation about your case.

Will An Error On My Speeding Ticket Lead To A Dismissal?

One of the questions we get from clients quite often is whether an error on the ticket will lead to a dismissal. Plain and simple, getting a speeding ticket can cause a lot of unneeded anxiety, pain and headache. Trying to get out of paying the fines, surcharges and increased insurance premiums is everyone’s first objective. Many times our potential clients believe that just because the officer misspelled the address or wrote the license plate wrong on the ticket means that the case will be dismissed. Continue reading “Will An Error On My Speeding Ticket Lead To A Dismissal?”

Staten Island Traffic Court Judge Ordered To Take Anger Management Class

After numerous complaints, Administrative Law Judge Brian Levine of Staten Island has been ordered by an arbitrator to take anger management and human relations classes. This being the result of a 2009 incident during an open court session where Judge Levine began a heated tirade that was directed at an MTA worker defending himself on a traffic violation. Judge Levine has earned a reputation among Staten Island motorists and attorneys assigned to defend traffic violations in his court as being one of the nastiest and toughest judges in the state. Continue reading “Staten Island Traffic Court Judge Ordered To Take Anger Management Class”

Where Do I Pay A New York Traffic Ticket?

If you have been issued a traffic ticket or multiple tickets for speeding and other violations it is important that take care of the ticket one way or another.  Ignoring the ticket can only make matters worse and might make the penalties worse and harder to resolve.  It is not a valid excuse to say that you were never given a court notice or the traffic ticket never stated how much the fine was. 

In New York the traffic ticket when issued is also a summons requiring you to answer your case to the court which has jurisdiction over your matter.  For most traffic violations your case will be heard by the local municipal or town court.  If you received a ticket within the 5 boroughs of New York City then your case will be heard by the Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB).

The most issued tickets in New York are speeding tickets.  These tickets not only have heavy fines but carry points which can affect your insurance rates and lead to a possible license suspension.  For drivers that are convicted of speeding above 20 miles per hour they are issued 6 points which also requires an additional penalty to be paid to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

The DMV’s Driver Responsibility Assessment applies to all drivers that are convicted of a traffic violation in the State of New York, even out of state drivers.  The program is intended to deter repeat offenses within the state and to encourage traffic safety.  If you receive 6 or more points on your New York State driving record within an 18 month period then the annual assessment is $100 for three years.  Drivers that receive more than six points on their record within an 18 month period are fined an additional $25 per point per year (each additional point is $75).   The DMV will suspend your license if you fail to pay your DMV Driver Responsibility Assessment.

Even if you live out of state or in Canada, if you plead guilty New York may notify your home state and points can be added to your driving record.

Payments for fines and penalties can be made to the court that is listed on your traffic ticket.  To make a payment you can call the local court handling your case and speak with the court clerk on how you can arrange to make your payment.  If your case is with the Traffic Violations Bureau you can arrange pay using this website. It is important to note that paying your fines on a traffic ticket is also the equivalent of pleading guilty to the charge.  This means that you are waiving your right to a trial and possibly having the ticket reduced or dismissed.

If you have been charged with a traffic violation, before paying your ticket, consult with an experienced traffic defense attorney.  An attorney can discuss your options with you and potentially help you avoid costly fines and points.

Don’t Let Sun Glare Ruin Your Holiday Travel

For those who plan to travel during Thanksgiving, experts say the best time to leave is as early as possible, with 6 a.m. named as the ideal time to hit the road in NY. One of the biggest challenges to leaving so early, aside from lack of sleep, is dealing with sunrise-induced sun glare. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), sun glare is a critical factor in about 16% of motor vehicle crashes.

Continue reading “Don’t Let Sun Glare Ruin Your Holiday Travel”

How to Avoid Speeding This Holiday

Travel is an inevitable part of the holidays, even if it’s only local. Between loading the car with gifts, getting the kids ready, and your wife’s complex and cryptic make-up routine, it’s almost impossible to not find yourself leaving the house later than you intended. When that happens, it becomes tempting to make up for lost time using your car’s accelerator.

Continue reading “How to Avoid Speeding This Holiday”

Can Police Issue Speeding Tickets Outside Their Jurisdiction?

image to can police issue speeding ticket outside their jurisdiction
Can Police Issue Speeding Tickets Outside Their Jurisdiction?

Orange County PD flash their lights at you just a few traffic signals away from the border of Putnam County. Do you pull over or gun it so that cops can’t chase you over county lines? It sounds tempting to try to get away, but would it work? Can police chase you and issue a speeding ticket outside their jurisdiction?

Continue reading “Can Police Issue Speeding Tickets Outside Their Jurisdiction?”