Speeding Tickets & Brooklyn Traffic Violations

Dealing With Speeding Tickets and Traffic Violations in Brooklyn

Getting a speeding ticket or traffic violation is never a fun experience. But if you get one in Brooklyn, don’t panic. Here’s a helpful guide on navigating the process and understanding your options when dealing with speeding and traffic tickets in Kings County.

The Most Common Traffic Violations in Brooklyn

Some of the most frequently issued traffic tickets in Brooklyn include:

• Speeding – Driving over the posted speed limit is one of the leading causes of traffic tickets in NYC. Speed limits vary by road and area in Brooklyn but tend to range from 20-30 mph on local roads and 30-50 mph on highways. Fines start at $50 plus fees for going 1-10 mph over the limit and increase from there.
• Red Light Violations – Running a red light in Brooklyn will earn you a $50 fine plus fees for the first offense. Subsequent violations within 18 months raise the fine amount. Cameras posted at intersections help police catch violators.
• Stop Sign Infractions – Fail to make a full stop at a stop sign, and you’re looking at a $50+ ticket. Rolling stops don’t count!
• Using a Cell Phone While Driving – Texting, emailing, web browsing or otherwise using a handheld cell phone while driving in Brooklyn will hit you with a $50 base fine for the first offense, more for subsequent violations.
• Double Parking – Parking in the road alongside another vehicle rather than pulling over to the curb to load/unload earns a $115 fine in Brooklyn. Subsequent double parking fines climb to $165.
• Blocking a Bike Lane – Parking or standing in marked bike lanes in Brooklyn now earns you a $115 traffic ticket for the first offense. Fines for repeat violations go up to $165 within an 18 month period.

Contesting a Traffic Ticket in Brooklyn

If you receive a traffic ticket in Brooklyn that you want to contest, you have 30 days from the ticket issue date to plead not guilty and request a hearing. There are a couple options when contesting a Kings County traffic violation:

• In-Person Hearing – You appear before an administrative judge at a Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) court in Brooklyn or one of the other NYC boroughs to argue your case. Locations include Atlantic Center and Coney Island in Brooklyn.
• Virtual Hearing – Since 2020, some TVB hearings can be conducted online via video chat. You still plead your case to a judge but avoid traveling to court.

Some common defenses against traffic violations include:

• You weren’t the driver when the violation occurred
• There are errors in the ticket documentation
• Signage on the road was missing or unclear
• Equipment like red light cameras were faulty

Having an attorney represent you in a traffic ticket hearing can significantly help your chances of getting the ticket dismissed or fine reduced. But know that legal fees often cost more than just paying the ticket.

Paying Traffic Fines and Fees in Brooklyn

If you opt not to contest your Kings County traffic ticket or lose your hearing case, you’ll have to pay the associated fines and fees. Here are some key points:

• Fines are due 30 days after ticket issuance to avoid late fees.
• Pay online, by mail, phone or in person at certain DMV offices and retail outlets.
• Traffic fines can’t be paid in installments.
• Unpaid fines get referred to a collection agency after 180 days which wrecks your credit.
• Accumulate 6 or more unpaid traffic violation points on your license and you risk suspension.

Some strategies to reduce traffic ticket costs in Brooklyn include:

• Plead guilty by mail within 30 days to waive the $45 driver responsibility assessment fee.
• Attend traffic school online or in-person to get 4 points taken off your license record.
• Ask the judge for community service instead of paying, though this usually requires hiring a lawyer.

Being found guilty of multiple moving violations in Brooklyn within an 18-month span qualifies you as a “persistent violator.” This results in a $300 surcharge plus 5 points added to your license. Too many points leads to suspension.

Other Consequences of Traffic Violations

Beyond fines and fees, getting convicted of various traffic violations in Kings County can negatively impact your driving record for years. Too many points on your license makes your auto insurance premiums skyrocket. Some violations like reckless driving may even qualify as misdemeanors with jail time in rare cases.

Ultimately the best way to avoid headaches from traffic tickets is to obey the rules of the road and drive safely throughout Brooklyn. But if you do get cited with a violation, don’t panic. Just understand your options for contesting the ticket or look at strategies to reduce the fines. Traffic attorneys can also help negotiate with the courts on your behalf.

We hope this overview gives you a better understanding of dealing with speeding and traffic tickets in Brooklyn. Let us know in the comments if you have any other questions!

Resources

• Reddit Discussion on Common Brooklyn Traffic Violations – https://www.reddit.com/r/Brooklyn/comments/d1v3n3/
• NYC Open Data on Cell Phone Use While Driving Violations – https://data.cityofnewyork.us/Transportation/Cell-Phone-Use-While-Driving-Violations/qymv-y4nc
• NYC DOT Double Parking Traffic Rules – https://www1.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/doubleparking.shtml
• Quora Question on Bike Lane Traffic Tickets – https://www.quora.com/How-much-is-the-fine-for-parking-in-a-bike-lane-in-New-York-City
• New York DMV Data on Contesting a Traffic Ticket – https://dmv.ny.gov/tickets/contesting-ticket
• Avvo Article on Traffic Ticket Defenses – https://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/the-most-common-defenses-to-beat-your-nyc-traffic-ticket
• NYC Comptroller Report on Traffic Fines and Fees – https://comptroller.nyc.gov/reports/fines-fees-forfeitures/
• FindLaw Overview of New York Traffic Tickets – https://www.findlaw.com/state/new-york-law/new-york-traffic-ticket-faqs.html