The City of White Plains hosts one of the busiest traffic courts in Westchester County and probably the most common traffic infraction cited in White Plains is speeding. That’s understandable with Interstate 287, the Hutchinson River Parkway and the Bronx River Parkway running through it. As a result, in addition to the White Plains Police Department, speeding tickets returnable in the White Plains City Court are issued by the Westchester County Police and the New York State Police.
A common hot spot for White Plains speeding tickets, especially work zone speeding tickets is Interstate 287. For the past several years construction work has been taking place on I-287 in White Plains. This construction results in “work zones” or “work areas” along I-287 wherein the speed limit is 45 mph.
Not only are work zone speed limits generally 10 to 20 mph less than the normal speed limits, the minimum fine for speeding in a work zone is double that of a non work zone speeding ticket. You may not drive through a work or road maintenance area faster than the posted speed limit (VTL §1180(f)). However, as I stated above, the speed limit in these areas is generally 10 mph to 20 mph less than usual and can tend to sneak up on drivers. A work zone speed limit may not be more than 20 mph below the normally posted speed limit for that area nor may a work zone speed limit be less than 25 mph. (VTL § 1180(f)).
In 1995, the New York State Legislature determined that work zones are one of the most dangerous work environments and that drivers who exceed the posted work area speed limits must be severely punished (Legislative Findings of L.1995, c. 446). Accordingly, the Legislature passed a law doubling the minimum fines for speeding in a work area. In other words, if you are convicted of exceeding a work area speed limit by 1 to 10 mph, the minimum fine would be $90.00 instead of $45.00; if you are convicted of exceeding a work zone speed limit by 11 to 30 mph, the minimum fine would be $180.00 instead of $90.00; and if you are convicted of exceeding a work area speed limit by 31 mph or more, the minimum fine is $360.00 instead of $180.00. Remember that all traffic violations in the City Court of White Plains get assessed a new $80 mandatory surcharge in addition to the fine.
In a future blog I will discuss the definition of a work zone as well as other issues relevant to work zone speeding tickets. If you have received a White Plains speeding ticket for speeding in a work zone, or if you have received a ticket for any other traffic offense such as speeding, red light, passing a school bus, stop sign or an equipment violation, or a summons for any traffic misdemeanor such as reckless driving, DWI or Aggravated Unlicensed operation, contact Tilem & Campbell PC at 1-877-DR-SUMMONS (1-877-377-8666) for a free telephone consultation.