VTL § 1145, “Failed to Yield at Traffic Circle”

The description of violation on the ticket may be “FLD/YLD RT-OF-WAY @TRAF CRCLE/ISL” or “Rt Of Way Viol: MV Enter Rotary”

Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1145 concerns driving in a traffic circle. It requires motorists to yield to other vehicles that entered the circle first. The failure to yield can result in a ticket for violating VTL 1145. A conviction, whether by guilty plea or conviction, will result in three points on your driving record. The exact fine is determined by the assigned judge. For a first-time offense, the maximum fine is $150 + $93 mandatory state surcharge. With other violations on the record the ticketed motorist may incur driver assessment fees. The biggest cost will likely be the higher insurance rates. With such a violation appearing on your driving record, your insurance company will likely raise your premiums for the subsequent 3-4 years.

Text of the Statute

The exact text of the statute is as follows:

Except where a traffic control device directs otherwise, the driver of a vehicle approaching or about to enter a rotary traffic circle or island shall yield the right of way to any vehicle already traveling on such circle or around such island.

Fighting a 1145 Ticket

No case is “open and shut” and not worth fighting. Traffic tickets can be beat on various procedural and legal grounds, even if the allegations are not false. The Constitution mandates that the prosecution has the burden of establishing and proving a case. They often fall short of meeting this burden.

New York State law permits lawyers to attend court in the place of their clients. The attorneys can even conduct a trial without their client being present in court. This means your attorney can fight your ticket without you leaving your home. When considering retaining a law firm for your traffic ticket there are two items to consider: (1) The percentage of the law firm’s practice that is dedicated to Traffic Law. It should be approximately 75%. (2) The proximity of the law firm to the location of the courthouse. An attorney that is in the area of the court is usually better able to get you the most optimal disposition, for various reasons.

Benjamin Goldman Law Office

The Benjamin Goldman Law Office is a law firm that practices Traffic Law. Our firm has experience fighting this particular type of ticket. We practice all over New York State including the following regions: Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, Western New York, North County, Southern Tier, Central New York, Long Island, New York City, Catskill Mountains, Hudson Valley, and Capital District. The many five-star testimonials attest to the extensive efforts we put into each case. Reach out at your convenience during regular business hours. We can be reached via phone call, text message, website submission, or email. The team at the Benjamin Goldman Law Office provides all motorists with a free consultation. Our attorneys look forward to working on your case.

Fight a VTL § 1145 Ticket