NYTicketHelp.com - New York traffic ticket? We can help.

Prom, graduation, summer break and the start of the annual “Click it or Ticket” campaign (May 18-31, 2009) means more chances for traffic tickets and other driving and license related issues for young drivers.  In many cases, law enforcement and courts treat young drivers more harshly than more experienced drivers in order to send a clear message: driving is serious business.  This potentially costly lesson can be easily avoided.  Our top 10 tips:

1. Wear your seatbelt and use a hands free device for the phone.  Officers will look at each driver and into each vehicle to check for compliance.

2. Registration, inspection and insurance should all be current and proof readily available.

3. If you are in no condition to drive, call a parent or a friend.  Better to crash on someone’s couch than on the highway.

4. “Speed” intelligently.  The flow of traffic is sometimes at a speed greater than the legal limit, but “Everyone else was doing it” is not a defense.   Don’t be the fastest car on the road, and remain in the middle or right lane whenever possible.  Whatever your speed, remain in complete control at all times.

5. Use your turn signals.  An easy spot for an officer is a car changing direction on a roadway without using directional signals.

6. Keep a safe distance from other vehicles.  Another easy spot for an officer is a vehicle following another vehicle too closely,  or unsafely changing lanes right in front of another vehicle.

7. If you are pulled over, stay calm and be smart.  Signal and move to the side of the road safely and as quickly as possible.   Displaying poor judgment and/or driving skills at the start of car stop is not helpful.  And be polite—perhaps you’ll get away with a warning.

8. If you are issued a ticket, know your options and what is at stake.  Points, insurance, big state surcharges and loss of driving privileges are all potential issues.  Do your research – many lawyers offer free consultations – before proceeding.

9. If you are issued a ticket, do not ignore it.  Whether it’s a court or the DMV or a routine patrol vehicle with a mounted license plate reader and/or DMV database access, you will eventually be forced to address the matter.   The longer you wait, the harsher the penalties are likely to be.

10. Take an Accident Prevention Course.  In NY, this course takes up to four points off your driving record and may help reduce insurance rates.  It’s helpful both for drivers with clean records and with prior convictions.