Good News For Bicyclists But NYC Drivers Be On The Lookout!

At many intersections throughout New York City bicycle operators are being given the opportunity to cross intersections before motorists get the green light.

Even though the snow looks beautiful, it’s the second day of Spring and we here at MarciLaw have had just about enough! How about you? 

Today is a perfect day to surf the web and dream about, or if you are really lucky actually plan, a summer trip. If so, here is a great article about how to get an international driver’s permit (IDP).  IDPs are really easy to get, they are not expensive and they could save you a lot of headaches.  A foreign country may not accept your U.S. license as valid unless you also carry an IDP. 

Here’s what’s FUN in NYC this weekend! 

Spring is around the corner, (I saw daffodils!) and everyone’s talking about it. There are some great things to do this weekend in NYC, including celebrating St. Paddy’s Day! So get outside, pretend it’s already warm, and enjoy all that our great city has to offer. 

As we posted last week, NYC in implementing a new program to aggressively enforce block the box violations.

The attached article has a map and lists 50 key intersections that will have new or improved signage to raise driver awareness and 50 newly hired uniformed officers to enforce the law.

More news about those pesky traffic cameras! 

If you live and/or drive in New York City you have probably heard about "blocking the box" tickets, the ones given out to drivers who get caught in intersections. 

A lawsuit has been filed alleging that millions of tickets that have been automatically issued by New York City speed cameras are invalid. 

Youth Traffic Court.  What Is It and How Can It Help?

There is a new Youth Court in Suffolk County that will hear cases of teens under the age of 18 who receive tickets for traffic law violations.  The purpose is further education rather than punishment for these new drivers. It is an exciting proposition that hopefully will be able to deliver, because after all don't we all want safer roads for ourselves and our children? 

Can you imagine your world filled with cars that no one drives? 

It seems this is what the horizon looks like, with many car companies researching and building driverless cars or their prototypes and many companies testing the first models in a variety of uses.  

We've all heard the stories, but did you believe them? 

While the NYPD may be giving us traffic tickets at a pace faster than a Kentucky Derby winner, we should try to remember all the great things they do to protect us and keep us safe.

Is NYS fining you for not paying tolls for crossing the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo (Tappan Zee) Bridge? Do you have unpaid overdue tolls? Is the state threatening to suspend your registration? 

If so, you are in luck! The state is implementing an amnesty program!  There are many drivers who say they were never notified of their bill until they received fines and threats of suspension.

Vision Zero is a safety program that is being credited for drastically reducing traffic fatalities in New York State over the past 4 years.

How does it work? With lower speed limits, increased use of speed cameras, tougher enforcement and improved street design.

What have the results been? According to Reuters.com “the most striking decline was in the number of pedestrian casualties, which fell 32 percent last year to 101, and for the first time comprise less than half of the city’s overall traffic fatalities. Since 2013, pedestrian deaths have fallen by 45 percent.”

Be informed. 

As of the middle of January, New York drivers involved in a motor vehicle accident that results in death or serious injury will be required to undergo a sobriety test if there are reasonable grounds to suspect the driver violated NYS traffic law.   The new law requires drivers to be tested whereas the prior law gave police officers discretion.  If you decline to take the sobriety test your license may be suspended. 

The hopeful effect of the law is to continue to deter drivers from driving while impaired or intoxicated.  All efforts towards this end are positive but critics say the law is not significant since police officers historically performed sobriety tests under the old standard anyway. 

Feel free to reach out to marci@marcilaw.com with any questions you have about the new law or for representation in this or any other traffic matter.

Thank you, Governor Cuomo. This executive order should allow New Yorkers to prepay a portion or all of their 2018 property taxes. Go online or call your local authority this week to find out how and to make sure you meet the deadline.

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!

As 2017 winds down, I hope you have a holiday season that sparkles and shines, and as 2018 begins I wish you good health, happiness and prosperity. 

Last December, 781 Americans lost their lives in car crash fatalities involving a drunk driver, and New York was one of only 10 states that cumulatively accounted for 54% of all alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2016.

Just a reminder that my interview on the weekly radio show and podcast "Law You Should Know" on WHPC 90.3 FM in Nassau County will be broadcast this Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at 3pm and will repeated the following Sunday at 7am as well as over the internet at WHPC.  For the podcast search WHPC on iTunes.

Even though this program is taking place in New Jersey, the idea behind it is useful for drivers all over the country.   It’s important to know your rights in case you are stopped by a police officer, but it's also important to know your responsibilities. 

Happy Thanksgiving!  

Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving and a beautiful start to the holiday season.

Every time I come across this article I read it.  I find it to be an interesting list and mix of celebs who don’t drink alcohol.   If it’s your job one night over this holiday season to be the designated driver or if you want some cool support check out this list.

Enjoy this sneak peak of my interview on the weekly radio show and podcast "Law You Should Know"