NY to Use New Technology to Prevent Wrong-Way Accidents

Soon, New York will be the first state in the nation to utilize innovative technology to alert drivers about to drive the wrong way onto the highway to turn around and to warn other drivers and police nearby of the impending danger of a wrong-way driver.

To achieve this feat, New York will place Doppler radar-assisted LED signs at sites where serious wrong-way crashes have occurred. Upon radar detecting a vehicle about to head the wrong direction onto the thruway, the signs will be triggered to flash bright warnings that will alert the driver and tell them to pull over and safely turn around. Yet to be installed, a fiber optics system will also send messages to other drivers in the area to be aware of the risk of collision with a wrong-way driver. In addition, the system will send an alert to the Thruway’s Statewide Operations Center that can be shared with local police.

So far, the Niagara Expressway (I-190) at the southbound exit 9 off-ramp in Buffalo and exit 10 on I-87/I-287 in Nyack, Rockland County have been designated as sites for the placement of the LED signs, with other exits along the thruway system in New York to be similarly identified for LED sign postings in the future.

Last year was the safest year in the 59-year history of the New York Thruway Authority, with an accident rate in New York that amounted to 20% below the national average. New York State’s greater use of technology, such as LED signs and fiber optics in place of ordinary “Wrong Way” metal signs, demonstrates the state’s strong commitment to make New York highways even safer.

(Sources: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Wrong-Way-Crash-New-York-Thruway-Death-Fatal-Radar-Text-Alert-234407621.html)

Governor Cuomo: More Than 91% of New York Drivers Now Utilize Seat Belts

In a press release put out this week by the New York Governor’s Office, Governor Cuomo announced that New York’s seat belt usage rate has reached an all-time high of 91.09%.

Seatbelt
(Source: Wikipedia)

The announcement comes on the heels of a new survey, the New York State Seat Belt Observation Survey, conducted by the University at Albany’s Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR). Funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC), the survey monitored drivers and front-seat passengers for seat belt usage at 120 locations in 12 New York counties.

The survey concluded that this year’s seat belt compliance rate was up to 91.09%, up from 90.43% in 2012 and 90.54% in 2011.

Governor Cuomo was pleased at the progress, noting New York’s position at the forefront of driver safety efforts:

Nearly 30 years ago, New York led the nation by passing the first seat belt law, and today the vast majority of New York’s drivers and passengers are now taking this simple step of buckling up to protect themselves on the road. It is clear that efforts by the State to promote driver safety can instill good driving habits and ultimately save lives. Just like the seat belt law, our unprecedented crackdown on distracted driving and tough new penalties for drivers who text behind the wheel can change a dangerous driving habit, so that we continue to make New York’s roads the safest in the country. Our record-high seat belt usage rate is a testimony to this fact, and we will further this progress through every means available.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirms the importance of wearing a seatbelt. According to their statistics, seat belts saved an estimated 11,949 lives nationwide in 2011 (the last year for which nationwide statistics are available). Also in 2011, the national seatbelt usage rate was 84%–with New York being only one of seventeen states to achieve a usage rate over 90 percent.

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Two Major Ticket Blitzes in August 2013; Speed Cameras Come to New York

August has officially come to an end, but not without some extra traffic enforcement by the New York State Police. This year, the NYSP held two traffic ticket blitzes—“Speed Week” which ran from August 11 to August 17 and “Operation Summer Brake” which ran from August 26 through Labor Day, September 2.

NY State Police Badge
New York State Police Badge

Speed week has become an annual tradition set to coincide with the Nationwide Series at the Glen and focusing on speeding and other traffic citations. During Speed Week 2012, the New York State Police issued over 1,200 speeding tickets and over 1,300 other citations including DWI, cell phone use, driving without a seatbelt, and more.

As Governor Cuomo notes, “Speeding is the number one cause of deaths on our roads each year and it is a dangerous activity that puts everyone at risk.”

Operation Summer Brake had similar objectives. New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Thomas J. Madison stated, “As part of ‘Operation Summer Brake,’ the Thruway Authority encourages motorists to be alert on the road, drive responsibly, obey posted speed limits, and avoid all distractions to ensure a safe trip to their destination.  We are committed to working with New Yorkers and the State Police to maintain the Thruway’s outstanding safety record.”

The number of speeding and other citations issued during this year’s ticket blitzes are not yet available, but we encourage everyone to drive safely all year long to avoid traffic tickets or worse. “It is clear that the New York State Police are stepping up their game,” says noted traffic ticket attorney Adam H. Rosenblum, “each summer the number of ticket blitzes and the number of traffic tickets issued increases significantly.”

In addition, August 2013 saw the introduction of speed cameras (in select school zones).  While other states such as Maryland have had speed cameras for years, this was a first for New York State and the move was applauded by government officials statewide.

However, the addition of speed cameras is not without controversy.  In fact, a report by The Baltimore Sun cast serious doubt on whether their speed camera program led to greater public safety or just a lucrative new revenue stream for the cash-strapped city. Thousands of tickets have been thrown due to faulty cameras and Baltimore City judges often dismiss tickets for deficiencies.  These findings ultimately led to a suspension of the speed camera program.

Notably, one of the report’s findings was that the City of Baltimore stretched the definition of a “school zone” far beyond the definition in state guidelines which might spell trouble if New York State follows suit.

Whether the goal is public safety, to raise much-needed revenue, or both, increased traffic violations enforcement is a reality all drivers are going to have to learn to live with.

If you received a ticket, contact the Rosenblum Law Firm at 888-434-0406 for a free consultation. We will help explain your ticket, its penalties, and your legal options.

Can Drones Bust You For Speeding?

Speeding Ticket Drones
Are Speeding Ticket Drones Coming to New York?

Last year, President Obama signed legislation requiring the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to create regulations for the licensing and testing of commercial drones by 2015.

As of October, the FAA had received more than 80 applications from entities seeking to use drones, including law enforcement agencies.

We know what you are thinking, and do not worry. These “drones” are not the aircrafts the military has been using in Afghanistan for hours on end. These drones are more like toy planes with cameras mounted on them. Not only that, but they can only fly in the air for about an hour at a time.

These unmanned aerial vehicles are already beginning to help officers investigate crime scenes by taking aerial photos of major auto accidents.

For instance, in Colorado, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office has been using drones for about four years now. One is a small helicopter, which can stay airborne for nearly 15 minutes while the other is a fixed-wing aircraft that can stay in the air for about an hour.

They usually are only deployed twice a month and used for search-and-rescue missions or to take aerial photos at crime and accident scenes to help officers get a birds-eye view of what happened. “Otherwise they live in a box in the back of a van,” says Ben Miller, the drone program director.

Additionally, the University of North Dakota and the Grand Forks Sheriff’s Department started a research initiative on drone usage back in 2010. In its test phase, the drones were used to look for a drowning victim washed away in floodwaters and to take fatal traffic accident photos.

Although the aircrafts are used to help investigate major accidents, they are not deployed for every fender bender. Alan Frazier, an assistant professor with the university and part-time sheriff’s deputy, explained, “It wouldn’t be a fiscally responsible way of using this resource.” After all, drones like these can cost $25,000-$175,000 while a police helicopter costs $1.8 million to $2 million.

A research poll taken last year by Monmouth University in New Jersey discovered that of the more than 1,700 Americans surveyed, 80 percent support drones being used for search-and-rescue missions. Likewise, two-thirds are in favor of their usage to track escaped criminals and patrol United States borders for illegal immigrants.

However, less than one-quarter thought that drones should be used for issuing speeding tickets.

Nonetheless, most New York drivers will not have to worry about drones being used to issue them NY speeding tickets anytime soon.

Police say they are simply too costly for them to use regularly and are too bulky. After all, they cannot really be used to patrol for any long-term period of time and they present constitutional challenges when it comes to the Confrontation Clause. Can your NY traffic ticket attorney really cross-examine a drone?

Ultimately, even if the State of New York wanted to start using drones to bust you for speeding, they would have a hard time getting the program off the ground.

(Source: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2013/07/31/can-drone-bust-for-speeding)

Cab Driver Hits Pedestrian in NY Area Where Speed Limit Rarely Enforced

Recently, a man—who was standing with his wife and children on a busy sidewalk in Midtown—was abruptly struck and injured by a moving taxi cab.

bigstock-Taxi-Auto-accident-6676209The incident occurred around 4:00 p.m. this past Tuesday after two cab drivers collided at the intersection of 7th Avenue and 52nd Street. WABC reported that one cab driver was traveling south on 7th while the other was going east on 52nd. One cabbie supposedly ran a red light.

However, DNAinfo spoke directly with eye witnesses who said both cabbies were on 7th and one, who was speeding, “lost control” of the cab and struck the other from behind. Video evidence and photographs from the scene of the accident reveal that the impact sent both cabs onto the sidewalk. At this point, one of the cabs struck a pole and, sadly, the man standing at the corner. Continue reading “Cab Driver Hits Pedestrian in NY Area Where Speed Limit Rarely Enforced”

88% of Brooklyn Drivers Speed and Get Away With It

Speed TrapA research group known as Transportation Alternatives recently published a report revealing that 88% of Brooklyn motorists break the speed laws and get away with it.

The report explains that enforcement by the New York Police Department remains almost non-existent. According to the report, Transportation Alternatives clocked more drivers speeding in 12 hours than were ticketed by the entire NYPD throughout all of 2011. Continue reading “88% of Brooklyn Drivers Speed and Get Away With It”

Speed Cameras Could Be Coming to NY Schools

Recently, New York State lawmakers passed a bill allowing the city to install speed cameras in front of NYC schoolsBoth the Senate and the State Assembly passed the bill and plan to install cameras at 20 city locations near schools that have documented speeding issues.

New "Point to Point" speed cameras o...

Mayor Michael Bloomberg strongly supports the proposal and he noted that a driver’s speed is the greatest contributing factor in traffic-related deaths in all of NYC.

Mr. Bloomberg noted, “If a driver strikes a child at 40 miles per hour, there is a 70 percent chance the child will be killed. At 30 miles per hour, there is an 80 percent chance the child survives.” Continue reading “Speed Cameras Could Be Coming to NY Schools”

Top 10 Police Speeding Chases

high-speed-chaseFleeing from police or leaving the scene of an accident can be costly and undeniably dangerous. If you think that you can get away from a police officer, think again. They are trained to handle all sorts of roads, weather conditions, and drivers. With this in mind, we present, “the top 10 police speed chases.” Make sure to drive safely and do not end up like these drivers.

1 – Lumber Truck Carnage

A man stole a lumber truck and even crosses over the median to escape the troopers surrounding the truck. The troopers take aim at the tires, and you will not believe what happens next…

2 – The Purple-Caped Wonder

The Purple Caped Wonder dances and jives while hanging outside his car distracting anyone in sight and drawing attention to himself on the busy freeway. You will not believe how this chase ends…

3 – Check Forger Flores it on the Freeway

A wanted check forger decides to floor it on the freeway and takes police along for the ride…

4 – Stolen Tank Tears Through the Streets

A man stole a tank from a local military base and has a rip-roaring time decimating anything in his path until the police show up…

5 – Drifter Standoff


After being cornered by police, a drifter turns in circles in a stand-off that lasts longer than you might think…

6 – Mustang Mayhem

Driver steals a mustang and gets more than he bargained for in this high-speed police chase that lasts close to an hour…

7 – NY Limo Driver Reaches 150 MPH

20 foot limo driver wreaks havoc in Westchester County, New York while going 150 MPH to avoid pursuing police officers…

8 – Unphased Camaro Driver Races Police

A Camaro driver evades police and is brought to a momentary stop while officers try to smash the car’s window. However, the driver manages to flee yet again after nearly running them over…

9 – Carjacker Straps Pants-less Driver to the Back of the Big Rig He Just Stole

A carjacker straps a pants-less driver to the back of the big rig he just stole while speeding past police and losing his wheels all the way. You will not believe what happens when the police finally stop the truck…

10 – Mitsubishi Maneuvers

A stolen Mitsubishi Endeavor swerves all over the freeway in this high speed police chase only to be apprehended, cuffed, and arrested…

Remember, driving is a privilege that can be taken away from you if you do anything foolish. Be sure to drive safely at all times and never run from the police.

If you recently received a speeding ticket in NY state, contact Rosenblum Law today. Our team of traffic ticket attorneys has a successful track record of getting the results you want. Call us today at 888-434-0406.

You’re Not Above The Law – No Matter Who You Are

license-plates-NYPeople have many ideas about what justice should look like. For most people, justice ought to ignore things like class or wealth when it comes to dispensing judgments. Being wealthy, the son of someone important or having a significant position in government or society should not lead to special treatment by a court. Continue reading “You’re Not Above The Law – No Matter Who You Are”

Women Vs. Men Speeding Excuses

A traffic stop executed by an officer...

It is not an easy job for a police officer to pull someone to the side of a busy highway and risk his life to issue a traffic ticket.  Any experienced officer will probably be the first to tell you that they have literally heard all the excuses from drivers trying to get out of a traffic ticket.  Each time an officer pulls someone over the chances are pretty good that the driver is giving some sort of explanation to get out of the traffic ticket.  There are so many different scenarios that can play out on any given day during a traffic stop but something that happens almost all the time without fail is a driver giving an “excuse” for bad driving behavior. Continue reading “Women Vs. Men Speeding Excuses”