The New York Post has reported on a story that is all too familiar – a pedestrian was struck by a speeding driver.
The driver, Hector Minaya, was apparently speeding through the Inwood section of Manhattan when he hit Edwin Soriano. Mr. Soriano, whom was rushed to Harlem Hospital, was listed in critical condition.
Police later found the driver in a parking garage – weeping while attempting to avoid detection.
A witness had stated that the car was speeding down the road before the crash.
As we recently reported, there has been a drastic reduction in the amount of summonses and tickets issued by the NYPD over the past couple of weeks. In fact, the NYPD has issued 90% fewer tickets than it had in the same period last year.
This drastic reduction in ticketing, which is likely fueled by the officers’ disagreements with the de Blasio administration in light of the Eric Garner grand jury decision and the shooting of two officers in Brooklyn, will have a significant impact on both the finances of the city as well as the safety of its citizens.
In an attempt to rectify this problem, Police commissioner Bratton has ordered police officers back to work. The mandate to return to ticketing and writing summonses has gone farther then a simple directive. Looking at a few examples of the pressure being placed on officers to increase ticketing, consider this:
Continue reading “NYPD Denied Vacation/Sick Time Until Ticketing Increases”
It appears that at least some jurisdictions are getting the message: speeding and red light cameras are more trouble then they are worth.
Speeding cameras in school zones, as well as red light cameras, which we will collectively refer to as “cameras,” were placed in both New Jersey and New York with the stated goal of increasing pubic safety. In NY, these cameras coincided with the passage of Vision Zero. It is hard to deny that there is a significant problem with injuries due to traffic violations. Whether these cameras were the best method to fight this problem was hotly contested.
Continue reading “Will New York City “Get the Picture” about Traffic Cameras?”
As reported by the NY Post, the NYPD has chosen to crack down on speeders following the city’s lowering its speed limit from 30 mph to 25.
The reduced speed limit took effect on November 7 of this year and drivers have been bombarded with tickets ever since that date. Immediately following the switch officers issued a whopping 3,772 tickets between November 5 and November 12, 2014—more than double the number of tickets from the same period last year!
Continue reading “NYC Speeding Tickets Soar After Limit Lowered to 25 mph”
Long Island’s school zone camera program has had its fair share of controversy but now, as CBS News New York reports, Nassau County residents are taking to the streets in protest.
While government officials argue that these speed cameras are all about child and pedestrian safety, the citizen-organized group “Residents Opposing School Zone Speed Cameras” contends that the $80 tickets are nothing more than a revenue-generating scheme for the cash-strapped County.
Continue reading “Nassau County Group Protesting School Zone Speed Cameras”
According to a report by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, more pedestrians and cyclists were injured in New York City last year than in the previous five years. The stats reveal that total traffic injuries increased by about 2% from 2012 to 2013, with pedestrians and cyclists bearing the brunt of it. Pedestrian injuries were up 5% and cyclist injuries rose an alarming 8%!
Sadly, children accounted for many of the injuries as NYC drivers injured 4,278 children aged 13 and under—8 of whom were killed. In fact, motor vehicle crashes have consistently been the leading cause of death due to injury for children within the 5 boroughs.
Continue reading “2013 NYC Pedestrian and Cyclist Injuries Highest in 5 Years”
Believe it or not, Nassau County has voluntarily chosen to forgive $4.2 million worth of school zone speeding tickets issued by speed cameras this past month.
According to County Executive Edward Mangano, there were problems with the cameras installed at six school locations due to malfunctions in the equipment and timing mechanisms. Consequently, Mangano said he is declaring amnesty on all of those fines.
Mangano announced the amnesty via Twitter, tweeting, “I am declaring amnesty for all speed camera tickets issued this summer.”
However, now that school is officially in session, enforcement has resumed.
Mangano revealed to 1010 WINS, “Clearly, there were some errors in the speed zone violations, so we’re meeting with the vendor and our traffic safety department to make certain that those errors are corrected… so as a matter of fairness, we’re eliminating all those tickets.”
He continued, “Many of the residents believed there was not enough notice, so this will serve as a notice of the new state law that there will be speed cameras in school zones come this September with the opening of school.”
Similarly, anyone who already paid the fine for their school zone camera ticket will be issued a full refund from the Traffic and Parking Violations Bureau.
In total, Nassau issued 30,108 citations at the five schools.
This is another prime example of how camera tickets are not very reliable and further proof that there is no substitute for an officer actually issuing a traffic ticket.
Remember, whenever you are approaching a school—whether you think it is in session or not—you ought to slow down and look for police officers patrolling nearby.
If you recently received a New York speeding ticket, contact Rosenblum Law today at 888-434-0406.
Thousands of Long Island drivers recently received school zone speeding tickets in the mail.
CBS 2’s Carolyn Gusoff reported that the brand new speed-camera program is generating a tremendous amount of negative feedback from drivers saying they had no idea that school zone speed limits were still in force during the summer.
One driver noted that he always slows down in school zones when school is in session. However, unbeknownst to him, he was mailed four tickets from a speed camera for school-zone speeding!
He thought school was not in session. After all, it’s August. Plainedge Middle School appeared deserted and he was driving 36 mph in a 40 mph zone.
However—since summer school was in session—the zone was really 25 mph.
According to the driver, “[S]ummer school is not posted or advertised anywhere as to be in session … It’s not on any of the school calendars.”
Another motorist got slapped with 11 tickets costing $80 each in the same week.
Ever since Nassau County began its most recent school zone ticket blitz, similar stories have been cropping up.
New York State allows speed cameras to ticket drivers going more than 10 mph over the school speed limit on school days during school hours in addition to an hour before and after school as well as during school activities.
Nevertheless, many drivers near Plainedge Middle School are claiming that this type of summertime ticketing stretches the definition of “school day” simply to make money.
According to the Plainedge’s schools superintendent, 100 students were attending summer school. However, he promises that summer school days will be added to the district calendars.
If you recently received a New York speeding ticket, contact Rosenblum Law today at 888-434-0406.
Update: As of August 22, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano has declared amnesty on all school zone speeding tickets issued during the summer. Click here for details.
Recently, an Idaho state trooper issued a speeding ticket to a grandmother on the way to Yellowstone National Park with her very young grandchildren (a four-year old and seven-year-old).
Apparently, the grandmother was traveling 91 MPH in a 75 MPH zone when Mike Nielson, a State Trooper, pulled her over. He noticed that the young children seemed nervous and that the grandmother was shocked as well.
Officer Nielson assured the children that their grandmother was not in serious trouble and gave them “junior troopers” stickers.
The grandmother revealed that the police officer who issued her the speeding ticket was so courteous and sensitive that she decided to write a thank-you note to the state police.
She explained, “We were on vacation and he could have really dampened our mood but he was just great.”
When her grandchildren asked if she was mad at the trooper for getting the ticket, she used that as an opportunity to explain to them the importance of taking responsibility for their actions.
Unfortunately, in New York, the police officers are not always this kind or professional and routine traffic stops are not always so pleasant.
Many times, we receive phone calls from people who were yelled at by New York police officers, had their PBA cards taken away, and even one or two who had their driver’s license thrown back at them.
This is not to say that this is the norm or that most New York police officers act like this. However, it happens more than it should. If it happens to you, remember to remain calm and composed.
Although difficult, never argue with a police officer who pulls you over for speeding in New York. Doing this will likely infuriate him and could even lead to an additional traffic citation––whether it is warranted or not.
Nevertheless, do not apologize to the officer either. Any apology could be considered an admission of wrongdoing which the officer and prosecutor can use that against you in court.
Your best course of action is to be as cordial as possible and let the officer do the talking. If you do end up with a New York speeding ticket, be sure to plead Not Guilty and call an experienced attorney to help you fight the case.
If you received a speeding ticket in NY, contact Rosenblum Law today at 888-434-0406.
Brand new legislation went into effect this past Wednesday aimed at increasing student safety near schools.
Assemblyman Dave McDonough announced that the law was signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo to establish speed monitoring systems in school zones on Long Island.
According to Mr. McDonough, the new law will allow Nassau and Suffolk counties to start four-year speed camera pilot programs within 120 approved school zones.
The Assemblyman explained, “I have been a long-time advocate of public safety and this legislation marks a substantial victory in the fight to prevent speeding and other dangerous traffic violations in the vicinity of our local schools.”
In addition to the speed cameras, we expect this emphasis on school zone safety to increase police enforcement in school zones. If the pilot program is successful, it is likely that similar programs will pop up throughout New York State.
If you happen to pass a school on your way to work or during your daily commute, be sure to slow down and obey the traffic rules. Remember, speed limits are drastically reduced near schools, often with little warning. If you are approaching a school zone, pay attention to traffic signs or you may soon find a camera ticket in your mailbox.
Getting caught for speeding in a school zone translates into significant fines, points, insurance hikes, and penalties.
If you recently received a school zone speeding ticket in NY, contact Rosenblum Law today at 888-434-0406.
