What Are the Most Common Traffic Tickets Issued in NYC?

Enforcement officers in New York issue millions of traffic tickets every year. In fact, from 2014 to 2017, nearly 14.5 million tickets were issued. Many different traffic laws were violated and some much more than others.

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles provides data for the past 4-year window and the statistics are interesting.  Here are the most commonly issued citations, plus some other statistics our NY traffic ticket lawyers think you should know.

The Most Common Traffic Tickets in NY

1. Speeding

Between 2014 and 2017, about 2 million tickets were issued for speeding. Speeding is a violation of  VTL §1180. A speeding ticket is usually punishable by a fine depending on how fast the driver was going above the speed limit and the area in which the person was speeding.  

In theory, imprisonment can be imposed in certain situations, but that is very rare. Speeding violations will carry from three to 11 points depending on how much over the speed limit one was charged with driving, which is why it is important to contact a speeding ticket lawyer when you receive this kind of ticket.

2. Disobeying a Traffic Device

Approximately 1.05 million tickets were issued for disobeying a traffic device. This is a violation of  VTL §1110(a). A ticket for this infraction is usually punishable by two points on the driver’s license plus a fine. A traffic device is a sign, signal or marking in place to regulate, warn or guide traffic.

One may be charged with violations for disobeying other specific traffic devices (like a one way sign or stop sign) that can carry more than two points, but the generic traffic device section and charge of Disobeying a Traffic Device carries two points.

3. Uninspected Motor Vehicle

About 665,000 tickets were issued for uninspected motor vehicles during the given time frame. This is a violation of VTL §306. No points are put on the driver’s license for this violation but it does come with a modest fine.

4. Unlicensed Operator

Unlicensed operators received a total of 627,000 tickets between 2014 and 2017. This is a violation of VTL §509-1. A conviction of this violation comes with a fine only — there are no points.  

5.  Operating a Cell Phone While Driving

About 515,000 tickets were issued for using a cell phone or portable electronic device while driving. This is a violation of VTL §1225(c) & (d). A violation of these laws results in fines and five points on the driver’s license.

Other Statistics to Consider

Who’s Issuing the NY Traffic Tickets?

The vast majority of the traffic tickets between 2014 and 2017 were issued by the NYC Police Department; they issued 4.24 million tickets. The Nassau County Police Department issued about 753,000 tickets, and the Suffolk County Police Department issued the third-most tickets at about 671,000.

When Are Traffic Tickets Being Issued?

Surprisingly, the fewest number of tickets between 2014 and 2017 were issued in December, at about 967,000. The most tickets were issued in May, at about 1.35 million. The complete list, from the most to fewest tickets, is:

1. May (1.35 million tickets, approximately)
2. March (1.29 million)
3. April (1.28 million)
4. August (1.23 million)
5. June (1.22 million)
6. October (1.22 million)
7. September (1.2 million)
8. July (1.2 million)
9. January (1.18 million)
10. November (1.14 million)
11. February (1.13 million)
12. December (967,000)

By days of the week, Fridays were when the most tickets were issued at 2.25 million. The fewest were issued on Sundays, with 1.71 million issued. The complete list, from most to fewest tickets, is:

1. Fridays (2.25 million tickets, approximately)
2. Wednesdays (2.22 million)
3. Thursdays (2.2 million)
4. Tuesdays (2.13 million)
5. Saturdays (1.99 million)
6. Mondays (1.91 million)
7. Sundays (1.71 million)

Who Is Being Ticketed?

The majority of tickets are issued to male drivers, with 10.3 million tickets being issued between 2014 and 2017. Female drivers were issued 3.95 million tickets. Organizations were issued 163,000 tickets.

Most tickets were issued to young drivers. In fact, the entire top-10 most ticketed drivers by age were in their 20s. About half a million tickets were issued drivers who were 24, and 494,000 were issued to drivers who were 25. The full top 10 list is:

1. 24-year-olds (501,000 tickets, approximately)
2. 25-year-olds (494,000)
3. 23-year-olds (494,000)
4. 22-year-olds (485,000)
5. 26-year-olds (479,000)
6. 21-year-olds (463,000)
7. 27-year-olds (459,000)
8. 28-year-olds (440,000)
9. 29-year-olds (420,000)
10. 20-year-olds (415,000)

Where Are Tickets Being Issued?

There are 10 different Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) offices throughout New York City where drivers can fight their tickets. There are also local town, village and county traffic courts throughout the surrounding counties where tickets may need to be answered. Typically, tickets will need to be answered in the TVB office or court nearest to where the citation was issued.

The top 10 offices/courts where tickets were answerable between 2014 and 2017 were:

1. Manhattan South TVB (711,000 tickets, approximately)
2. Brooklyn South TVB (659,000)
3. Bronx TVB (624,000)
4. Nassau County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency (590,000)
5. Queens North TVB (580,000)
6. Manhattan North TVB (561,000)
7. Brooklyn North TVB (558,000)
8. Queens South TVB (455,000)
9. Richmond TVB (325,000)
10. Suffolk District Court (290,000)

So, What’s All This Mean?

In short, there are a lot of traffic tickets issued in NY every year. Whether they’re tickets for speeding or using a cell phone while driving, the added license points and fines can easily impact you in a number of ways.  

If you do receive a ticket, feel free to speak with one of our NY traffic ticket lawyers at Feifer & Greenberg.  We can help you figure out the best path moving forward.

Call us at (888) 842-5384 or contact us online today for a free, no-obligation consultation.