Traffic lights play an important role in keeping the streets of New York safe for everyone. But every so often, you will come across those that have no regard for the rules and try to run red lights. Red light violations in New York are more than just a mere inconvenience and can lead to serious financial, legal, and insurance ramifications. In this post, the team at Gabriel Law will step into the shoes of a car accident lawyer in NYC and enlighten you on the fines, points, penalties, and consequences associated with red light violations.
How do red light camera tickets work in NYC?
In New York, red light cameras are used to record still images or videos of vehicles running the red light on roads and at intersections. Unlike in standard traffic stops, where a police officer issues the ticket, the red light citation is mailed to the owner of the vehicle, irrespective of who was driving when the offense was committed.
The citation is only mailed to the car owner after the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) has conducted a thorough review of the footage to determine whether a violation has occurred.
Does the red light camera ticket result in points on my driver’s license?
No, a red light camera ticket will not result in points on your driver’s license. This is because the camera cannot tell the identity of the person driving the vehicle at the time of the violation.
What is the cost of a red light ticket in NYC?
In New York, a red light ticket comes up to a flat $50 fine. The rate does not change on account of any previous tickets you’ve received. You have the option of paying for the ticket online, via mail, or in person, but keep in mind that online payments include a $4 processing fee as well as a 2% surcharge on credit cards. There will be no additional fees if you choose to pay for the ticket in person or via the mail.
However, if you have not paid the fine on time, you may be subject to additional penalties, which can include:
- A late fee of $25 if the fine is not settled within 30 days
- A 9% annual interest on unpaid balances
- A default judgment against you after 75 days from the date of receiving the ticket.
Should I fight a red light ticket?
In most cases, paying the $50 fine is quick and less stressful, plus a red light ticket will not result in license points or insurance penalties. For the most part, it is a minor traffic infraction where you can simply move on after paying the fine.
However, there may be a few cases where you would want to contest the red light ticket that has been issued to you. These include situations where:
- You had sold the vehicle before the violation took place;
- Your vehicle had been stolen when the violation occurred; or
- The vehicle had been misidentified by the camera systems.
In such a situation, you can request a hearing to dispute the ticket online, via mail, or in person. At the hearing, you’ll have the opportunity to present your case, and if the hearing officer agrees, the citation can be dismissed, and you get to walk away without paying any fine.
At the same time, if the citation is connected to a traffic accident and paying the fine can have an impact on one of your pending legal matters, it would be in your best interest to speak with an accident lawyer in New York and hear what they have to say before you take any action.
Conclusion
In NYC, handling a red light ticket is pretty straightforward, and it has no real consequences on your driver’s license or insurance. However, in the unlikely event that these tickets ever result in a more complex legal dispute, contacting a personal injury law firm in NYC would be in your best interest.
At Gabriel Law, we’ve represented hundreds of New Yorkers in various insurance and legal claims involving car accidents, fighting to get our clients the compensation they deserve. You too can benefit from our unparalleled legal guidance—contact us now and schedule your free consultation today.
