Free NYC Traffic Ticket Report

This report provides an in-depth look at New York City traffic ticket trends, including borough-specific data, enforcement patterns, the true cost of violations, and CDL/commercial vehicle statistics. It is designed to help drivers, fleet managers, and legal researchers understand how NYC issues millions of traffic citations each year.

Executive Summary

New York State issues over 3.7 million traffic tickets annually, with 40% coming from New York City. Speeding, failure to yield, cell phone violations, and red-light tickets are the most common. This report reveals borough-specific enforcement, the financial impact of violations, and key trends affecting drivers and CDL holders.

Ticket Volume and Types

Most Common NYC Ticket Types:

• Speeding (28%)
• Failure to Yield (16%)
• Cell Phone Use (14%)
• Red Light Violations (14%)
• Stop Sign/Other (14%)

Automated enforcement like red-light and speed cameras have significantly increased citation volume over the past five years.

Borough-by-Borough Breakdown

• Manhattan: Focus on red-light cameras and commercial parking tickets
• Brooklyn: High volume of failure-to-yield and pedestrian safety enforcement
• Queens: More speeding camera tickets near schools and highways
• Bronx: Reckless driving and improper lane change tickets dominate
• Staten Island: Fewer total tickets but highest share of speeding violations

CDL and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement

NYC and nearby counties have increased inspections for trucks and commercial vehicles:

• Over 150,000 CDL-related tickets issued annually
• Most common violations include overweight loads, unsecured cargo, expired permits, and logbook errors
• Fleet operators face OATH/ECB summonses that impact DOT safety scores

Financial Impact

The true cost of a New York traffic ticket includes:

• Base fine ($50–$600 depending on violation)
• Mandatory surcharge ($88–$93)
• Driver Responsibility Assessment (up to $750 for 6+ points)
• Insurance premium increases (20%+ for multiple points)
• Even a minor ticket can cost $1,000+ over time.

Trends and Insights

1. Speed cameras tripled NYC ticket volume since 2021
2. Reckless driving arrests are rising with Vision Zero initiatives
3. Distracted driving tickets (cell phone use) are increasing, especially among younger drivers
4. Commercial vehicle enforcement is stricter in Midtown Manhattan and bridge/tunnel entry points
5. Failure-to-yield tickets doubled in bike lane areas

How to Use This Data

• Understanding these trends helps drivers:
• Avoid known enforcement hotspots
• Protect their licenses and avoid points
• Prepare stronger defenses when fighting tickets in court

Lawyers use borough-specific dismissal rates, officer issuance trends, and calibration data to challenge citations.

Next Steps

For more help, contact the Law Office of Mindy Paget Brill. Our data-driven defense strategies have helped thousands of drivers reduce or dismiss violations.

Call us today for a free consultation and protect your driving record.