SCHOOL IS IN SESSION - SLOW DOWN!
In New York State, speeding in a school zone is a very serious offense and is addressed in a separate section of the law from your average speeding ticket. According to Vehicle and Traffic Law §1180 (c), no person shall speed in a school zone on “school days.” School days are defined as the times posted on the school zone signs but are generally between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Fines for speeding in school zone violations are double the normal fines. For instance, a speeding violation in a school zone of 11 to 30 miles per hour over the limit can cost you as much as $600.00, plus a mandatory surcharge of $93.00.
At this point, most people think that they are careful drivers and would never speed in a school zone. None of the clients I have represented with these tickets ever intentionally sped through a school zone but it is much easier to do than you think. School days can extend to 6:00 p.m., hours after most kids are home from school. Many school zones have speed limits as low as 10 or 15 miles per hour and the statute does not specify how many signs need to be posted. Think about that. You could be going as slow as 25 miles per hour and you can suddenly be in a school zone, with very little warning, and still be speeding as much as 15 miles over the limit.
Thinking about going to court and handling this ticket yourself…think again. Many judges and prosecutors take a tough stance on speeding in school zone tickets or insist that motorists plead guilty to a school zone ticket in order to double the fines.
Avoid higher fines, possible increased insurances rates and going to court altogether by hiring a qualified, experienced lawyer to handle your matter. I have successfully handled many speeding tickets for clients all over New York State. I can help.
Lorenzo Napolitano, Esq.
(585) 325-4445