Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1180(e) Unreasonable Speed/Special Hazards

Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1180 is the statute that is used most often by law enforcement in New York State. This is because VTL 1180 includes all types of speeding violations. The most common traffic ticket issued in New York State is for a speeding violation.

The following is a list of all the subsections of 1180 in the order of how frequently they are used in New York State:

1. 1180-D (the default speeding charge)
2. 1180-B (speeding in a 55 mph zone)
3. 1180-A (imprudent speed)
4. 1180-F (speeding in a work zone)
5. 1180-C (speeding in a school zone)
6. 1180-E (unreasonable speed/special hazards)
7. 1180-G (speeding in a truck)

What is VTL § 1180-E?

One of the least used speeding charges is VTL 1180-E. It is utilized in circumstances similar to where 1180-A is used. For example, there is an accident, and the law enforcement officer at the scene concludes that you must have been speeding. The following is the exact wording of the statute:

(e) The driver of every vehicle shall, consistent with the requirements of subdivision (a) of this section, drive at an appropriate reduced speed when approaching and crossing an intersection or railway grade crossing, when approaching and going around a curve, when approaching a hill crest, when approaching and passing by an emergency situation involving any authorized emergency vehicle which is parked, stopped or standing on a highway and which is displaying one or more red or combination red, white, and/or blue lights pursuant to the provisions of paragraph two and subparagraph b of paragraph four of subdivision forty-one of section three hundred seventy-five of this chapter, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, and when any special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians, or other traffic by reason of weather or highway conditions, including, but not limited to a highway construction or maintenance work area.

This statute is intended for situations where the driver was traveling at the speed limit but was supposed to slow down due to a condition specific to the roadway at that time.

What if I Plead Guilty to a VTL-1180E?

If you plead guilty or are found guilty of 1180-E, you will get three points on your New York license. The fine is up to the judge. The minimum is $0 and the maximum is $150. There is a mandatory $93 state surcharge. However, the most significant cost of this ticket is when it appears on your driving record. You can expect your insurance rates to go up with any type of speeding violation on your driving abstract.

The good news is that 1180-E is a charge that can be fought and beaten. This is for several reasons, both legal and practical. The Benjamin Goldman Law Office has handled 1180e tickets to a successful resolution in many courts, including but not limited to, Stanford, Taghkanic, Southeast, Brooklyn, Hastings, Oswego, Hancock, Angelica, Bath, and Wallkill. Contact us at your convenience to discuss in detail. Consultations are free. We can be reached by phone call, email, website submission, or text message. Our team will be glad to help with your ticket.

Fight a VTL § 1180e Ticket