My fiancee ran a stop sign.

[Zeze]

Her first ticket in a decade, clean driving record. It was one of those small streets and the sign was not visible.

It's $150~ and she has to mail it in guilty or not.

I know the general mentality of ATOT saying 'just pay the ticket', but you can get them dismissed easily or get it reduced if you at least show up (my experience back in MA in my stupid young days).

This is NY. Do they operate differently? Any way to lessen the penalty?

Thank you.

 

[calvinbiss]

Defensive Driving FTW

 

[SandEagle]

Asian: check
Female: check
Not knowing how to fvcking drive or driving carelessly while disregarding signs and safety of others while clutching the steering wheel with two small hands, seat pushed forward, and no idea what time it is and why she's out the kitchen: check

 

[dougp]

If you can prove it wasn't visible, go document that and then take it to court. Just remember that if you choose to fight it and you can't provide sufficient enough evidence, then you'll have to take the consequence.

 

[dabuddha]

How the fuck do you run a stop sign. She shouldn't be allowed to drive. What if a classroom full of kids and nuns had been crossing the street at the time!

 

[Zeze]

Asian: check
Female: check
Not knowing how to fvcking drive or driving carelessly while disregarding signs and safety of others while clutching the steering wheel with two small hands, seat pushed forward, and no idea what time it is and why she's out the kitchen: check

I ain't even mad. Stereotype aside, she's a pretty damn good driver. Parallels better than me. :x

 

[highland145]

If she goes to court and it's reduced to $100, is it worth the $50 in time/effort/aggravation?

 

[Keeper]

Plus... If you lose, I think they add stupid stuff like process fee, court fee etc.
I got a NYC parking ticket awhile ago...
And was going to fight it ($185 WOW. Go bloomburg HELPING the city funds).
Sure, nice directions o how to fight it. DONT LOSE.....
Several added fees if you tie up the system.

 

[Zeze]

If she goes to court and it's reduced to $100, is it worth the $50 in time/effort/aggravation?

If that included dropping insurance point, than it's worth it (1 pt is like $1000 on the long run)

 

[PrinceMyshkin]

From what I recall, it depends on whether the ticket was in NYC/Buffalo/Rochester/certain parts of Suffolk county or outside those areas. If in NYC/Buffalo, likely won't be able to reduce penalty. If its outside those two places, you can show up in court to try to get it reduced.

-Former NYC resident, had tickets from both NYC and outside NYC.

 

[highland145]

If that included dropping insurance point, than it's worth it (1 pt is like $1000 on the long run)

True that.

 

[bignateyk]

How the fuck do you run a stop sign. She shouldn't be allowed to drive. What if a classroom full of kids and nuns had been crossing the street at the time!

I ran a stop sign once because some jackass parked their van right in front of it and I didn't see it until I was already passing it.

 

[jagec]

If that included dropping insurance point, than it's worth it (1 pt is like $1000 on the long run)

Will it actually put points on her license? If so, absolutely go to court. It's not that easy to get it dropped entirely, but the courts are pretty good about dropping the points for people who are willing to plead guilty and pay the fine.

 

[Markbnj]

Go to court on the appointed day. Talk to the prosecutor. Chances are he or she will negotiate a few points and dollars off especially since your fiance has a clean record.

 

[amdhunter]

Will it actually put points on her license? If so, absolutely go to court. It's not that easy to get it dropped entirely, but the courts are pretty good about dropping the points for people who are willing to plead guilty and pay the fine.

Yep. Violation involving a traffic signal, stop sign, or yield sign: 3 points in NY.

I got hit with 2 points back in 2001 for having commercial vehicle in residential neighborhood, and my insurance jumped $500/yr. FIVE FUCKING HUNDRED. Insurance companies can't wait for a good driver to screw up, it's a perfect reason to get more money from you with no effort.

Fight that ticket.

 

[SunnyD]

Call off the wedding. It's the only way to be sure.

 

[Dari]

Ran a stop sign? That must mean she drove through an intersection without stopping. How stupid can you be not to stop at an intersection, with or without a stop sign? I doubt this is her first time doing this because police can't be everywhere at once. She knew what she was doing. Also, she isn't a robot. Common sense says stop at every intersection. Or at least slow the fuck down.

 

[CraigRT]

Yep. Violation involving a traffic signal, stop sign, or yield sign: 3 points in NY.

I got hit with 2 points back in 2001 for having commercial vehicle in residential neighborhood, and my insurance jumped $500/yr. FIVE FUCKING HUNDRED. Insurance companies can't wait for a good driver to screw up, it's a perfect reason to get more money from you with no effort.

Fight that ticket.

It's 3 points here too.
It's really pathetic how badly insurance companies rape people. I have my own insurance nightmares as well, I think we all do. Frustrating is not even the word. It's criminal and there is jack shit you can do about it for the most part.

 

[Dirigible]

Ran a stop sign? That must mean she drove through an intersection without stopping. How stupid can you be not to stop at an intersection, with or without a stop sign? I doubt this is her first time doing this because police can't be everywhere at once. She knew what she was doing. Also, she isn't a robot. Common sense says stop at every intersection. Or at least slow the fuck down.

You're on the right. Many intersections have one street without stop signs where people should not stop as drivers behind will not expect it. The other street has a stop.

 

[jagec]

Common sense says stop at every intersection.

Really? EVERY intersection?

Damn, I hope you take the bus.

 

[Fritzo]

If you can prove it wasn't visible, go document that and then take it to court. Just remember that if you choose to fight it and you can't provide sufficient enough evidence, then you'll have to take the consequence.

I've actually done this about 10 years ago. A tree was blocking a stop sign in a residential neighborhood, I ran it, and the local Beauford T. Justice sheriff gave me a ticket anyway. I took a picture of the intersection, took it to court, and the charge was dismissed (and the tree was trimmed shortly afterward).

 

[lxskllr]

Plus... If you lose, I think they add stupid stuff like process fee, court fee etc.
I got a NYC parking ticket awhile ago...
And was going to fight it ($185 WOW. Go bloomburg HELPING the city funds).
Sure, nice directions o how to fight it. DONT LOSE.....
Several added fees if you tie up the system.

Dunno about NY, but I haven't seen that happen in MD. You get fees and stuff, but in the worst case, the ticket price is adjusted so the total paid is the same. You /can/ get a harsher penalty, but as long as you don't act like an ass in court, it shouldn't happen.

 

[Dari]

Really? EVERY intersection?

Damn, I hope you take the bus.

I do take the bus. And the subway. And I drive my car. And I have a child. So, yeah, stopping at every intersection is common sense for me.

 

[highland145]

I do take the bus. And the subway. And I drive my car. And I have a child. So, yeah, stopping at every intersection is common sense for me.

j/k

 

[Dari]

You're on the right. Many intersections have one street without stop signs where people should not stop as drivers behind will not expect it. The other street has a stop.

In New York both streets have stop signs.