Many people who haven’t been to law school are confused about the enforceability of speeding tickets resulting from speed cameras. This says nothing of the fact that traffic violation laws are perpetually evolving with technology.
If you’ve been caught on a speed camera in Central New York, you may wonder what your next steps should be. The first thing you need to do is contact a legal professional as soon as possible. The experienced speeding ticket lawyers at New York Traffic Ticket Lawyers will walk you through your options.
Speeding Laws in Central New York
Some drivers believe they’re “allowed” to exceed the speed limit if others are also doing so. However, this is a common misconception. Even if the vehicles around you are going over the speed limit, you’re always in danger of receiving a ticket if you choose to disobey the law.
Here are some of the penalties for various degrees of speeding in Central New York:
- 0–10 mph over the limit: $45–$150 fine, possible jail time up to 15 days
- 10–30 mph over the limit: $90–$300 fine, possible jail time up to 30 days
- More than 30 mph over the limit: $180–$600 fine, possible jail time up to 30 days
Given the stiffness of some of these penalties, it’s important to know whether the laws pertaining to speed cameras are enforceable.
What is a state or municipal speed camera?
Thanks to continual technological advancements, law enforcement agencies can now use automated tools like speed cameras to penalize traffic violations. State and municipal governments often place speed cameras in strategic locations to deter reckless drivers.
The speed camera photographs speeding vehicles’ license plates and then sends speeding tickets to the violators’ addresses. The violators are expected to pay these tickets just as they would one written by an officer.
Private vendors can also legally purchase (or borrow) and operate speed cameras. Many jurisdictions work with private vendors to install private cameras and issue citations.
Speed Camera Laws in Central New York
Now that you know a little about the speeding laws and speed cameras in Central New York, you’re likely wondering whether traffic tickets issued by speeding cameras are enforceable under New York State Law. The answer is more complicated than you may think.
Anytime a speeding citation based on a speed camera is issued, the vehicle’s owner always receives the notice. Even if someone else was operating the vehicle and committed the violation, the government holds the vehicle owner responsible.
If you’re pulled over by a law enforcement officer in Central New York and given a speeding ticket, the ticket counts as a moving violation. However, if the courts issue you a speeding citation based on a speed camera, the incident doesn’t count as a moving violation and therefore can’t impact your driving record.
That said, a speeding violation caught by a speed camera can impact your insurance rates. Depending on the severity of the violation, a speed camera citation generally costs at least $50 but can be much more, depending on the jurisdiction and the number of previous offenses.
Contact New York Traffic Ticket Lawyers Today
If you’ve committed or been accused of a speeding violation, you may think your only option is to cash in your chips and pay your fine.
The fact is, however, that a team of speeding ticket lawyers can make a world of difference in your case and might end up helping you beat the charges entirely. If you’ve been caught by a speed camera in Central New York, get in touch with New York Traffic Ticket Lawyers today.
