On November 6, 2014, the speed limit in New York City dropped from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour. Just a day before the new speed limit went into effect, Mayor Bill de Blasio promised that speeding tickets would be issued slowly so drivers could adjust to the change. Unfortunately, it appears that Mayor de Blasio’s promises didn’t amount to very much at all.
Tickets Doubling in One Month Alone
New York City residents are receiving more traffic tickets than ever before. Between November and January, tickets increased by almost 8,700 compared to the same period a year before. Just in the month of November, tickets jumped from 6,600 in 2013 to 13,606.
Drivers aren’t happy about it, either. Even before the speed limit change took place, tickets were already increasing and only continued to do so after November 6. One man, the vice president of an ambulance service in Queens, is particularly peeved. He noted that his fleet of 160 ambulettes accumulated thousands of dollars in ticket fines following the speed limit change, despite barely breaking 30 mph.
The man said his drivers are receiving nearly 20 tickets each week, as opposed to the less than five they used to receive. He even went to the Rockaway Boulevard facility with his tickets in search of sympathy but was turned away. According to his statement, the facility simply told him to pay the tickets.
While it seemed that Mayor de Blasio had the residents’ best interests in mind, the reality is far from the truth. Instead of being phased in, the speeding tickets are coming in full force and drivers are left with no way to cope.
If you recently received a speeding ticket, contact our firm right away. We can help you fight your ticket and achieve a favorable outcome! Schedule a free consultation with our New York City traffic ticket lawyer today.