Considered part of the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area, Erie County is seventh-most populated county in the U.S. state of New York. However, police in Erie issue the most speeding tickets in in the state. With dozens of major roadways and several well-known universities, police are always vigilant for speeding and other traffic violations. In 2016, police handed out nearly 56,000 speeding tickets in Erie County. Any ticket issued in New York State can lead to serious penalties including points, fines and auto insurance increases.
Counties Issuing the Most Speeding Tickets in 2018
| County | # of Speeding Tickets |
|---|---|
| ERIE | 49,584 |
| QUEENS | 41,881 |
| WESTCHESTER | 39,530 |
| SUFFOLK | 33,692 |
| ORANGE | 33,023 |
| BRONX | 28,189 |
| BROOKLYN | 28,090 |
| NASSAU | 23,605 |
| DUTCHESS | 22,463 |
| ALBANY | 20,285 |
Drivers should not pay a speeding ticket issued in Erie County! Instead, call an experienced traffic ticket lawyer to help get those penalties reduced or eliminated.
New York State Speeding Ticket Costs
Paying a speeding ticket mean incurring for far more costs than most realize. Fines of $150 to $600 are not the final cost. Each ticket also comes with a mandatory state surcharge ($88 to $93). If the ticket puts the total number of points on the license at six or more, a driver will be hit with a DMV Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA). The DRA is a separate fine, which costs $100 per year for three years. Each point over six costs an additional $25 per year for three years. Even worse is the massive increase in insurance premiums, which typically last for 36 months or more after the ticket appears on the driving record.
Speeding Tickets Data from Erie County NY
With nearly 50,000 speeding tickets issued in 2018, Erie County has earned the distinction of handing out the highest number of speeding tickets in the state. This, combined with the county’s low victory rate—only 3.8% of drivers got their tickets dismissed or were acquitted—means there is a lot at stake for drivers who get ticketed. Moreover, more than 12% of drivers who are handed a speeding ticket are also issued tickets for other offenses at the same time. The most common are tickets for licensing violations such as driving without a license (VTL 509 and 510), followed by driving on a suspended license (VTL 511, a.k.a. Aggravated Unlicensed Operation) and equipment violations (VTL 375 – 380). Unlike in most counties in New York State, local police are responsible for the largest share of speeding tickets (49%) in Erie County, not State Police.
Number of Speeding Tickets Given in Erie County, NY
| Year | # of Speeding Tickets |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 48,828 |
| 2010 | 56,101 |
| 2011 | 52,991 |
| 2012 | 50,719 |
| 2013 | 56,087 |
| 2014 | 53,530 |
| 2015 | 56,308 |
| 2016 | 55,801 |
| 2015 | 56,308 |
| 2016 | 55,801 |
| 2017 | 50,421 |
| 2018 | 49,584 |
Drivers hit with speeding in Erie County would be well advised to fight the ticket and either get it dismissed or reduced to a low-point/no-point violation. With such a high conviction rate, however, this may require the help of a skilled attorney.
Erie County Geography and How It Relates to Traffic Tickets
Located on part of the U.S.-Canadian border, Erie County spans 1,227 square miles and is home to 25 towns, 16 villages and three cities (Buffalo, Lackawanna, and Tonawanda). Its numerous waterfront parks and conservation parks, along with the abundance of highways and proximity to Canada make it a popular tourist destination. It’s also a frequent drive-through county for those heading to or from Canada. As such, state and local police are mindful of speeding and other traffic offenses.
Hiring an Erie County Speeding Ticket Lawyer
No one should approach a speeding ticket or other traffic violation lightly. An experienced traffic defense attorney can evaluate the charges and offer a solid defense that will minimize the fines and points. The best part is that, in most cases, those who hire legal representation may not have to show up to court themselves.
Contact the Rosenblum Law Firm to assist you with your speeding ticket matter in Erie County. We can offer you a free consultation about your case and have our attorney’s fight on your behalf. Our attorneys have represented clients in all the courts in Erie County for both traffic and criminal matters including Alden, Amherst, Aurora, Boston, Brant, Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Clarence, Colden, Collins, Concord, Eden, Elma, Evans, Grand Island, Hamburg, Holland, Lancaster, Lackawanna, Marilla, Newstead, North Collins, Orchard Park, Sardinia, Tonawanda, Wales, and West Seneca. Call 888-434-0406 or email Rosenblum Law today for a free consultation about your case.