Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1164(a), “No signal lamps (certain vehicles)”

VTL 1164-a is related to the requirement to signal to other motorists when turning, changing lanes, or stopping. The signal can be done by hand or by the lamps on the vehicle. Failure to do either can result in a traffic ticket. This ticket for this violation is almost never issued in New York State. The main reason is that it is redundant to VTL 1163 (a), (b), (c), and (d).

A conviction of 1164A (whether by guilty plea or trial) will result in two points on your New York driving record. The fine is determined by the judge with the maximum being $150 + $93 mandatory surcharge. The main cost of this ticket is the insurance premiums. With a violation like this on the driving record, your insurance company will be inclined to raise your bi-annual rates.

Statute

The text of the statute:

Any stop or turn signal when required herein shall be given either by means of the hand and arm or by signal lamps, except as otherwise provided in subsection (b).

Disputing a 1164(A) Traffic Ticket

Whether the allegations are entirely true, partially true, or untrue, the ticket can be fought. It is not immoral or illegal to plead Not Guilty to traffic related charges even if the allegations are true. This is because pleading Not Guilty does not mean you are making a claim as to what did happen or didn't happen. Pleading Not Guilty merely means you are utilizing your Constitutional rights to require the “people” to prove their case.

Often, instead of going through the burden of proving the charges, the prosecutor or district attorney will present you with a plea bargain offer. The plea offer generally allows you to plead guilty to a lesser charge instead of the original charge. A traffic ticket attorney can be of great help in such circumstances. Firstly, an experienced lawyer is in the best position to get an optimal plea deal. Secondly, your attorney can make any court appearances in your place.

Benjamin Goldman Law Office

The Benjamin Goldman Law Office is a New York State traffic ticket defense firm. Our firm has been litigating all kinds of traffic related charges since 2011. We have received hundreds of five-star testimonials over the years, most of which attest to our customer service and obtained results.

If you received a 1164(a) ticket you can contact the Benjamin Goldman Law Office. Our firm assists motorists throughout New York State. Lawyers from our firm assist motorists in New York City, on Long Island, in the North Country region, in the Mohawk Valley region, in the Capital District, in the Hudson Valley, in the Catskills, in upstate New York, in the Hudson Valley, in the Central New York region, in the Southern Tier region, in the Finger Lakes region, and in the Western New York region. The team at the Benjamin Goldman Law Office provides all motorists with a free consultation. Our firm can be reached by phone call, email, or text message. You can contact us at your convenience.

Fight a VTL § 1164-a Ticket