VTL § 1144(b), “Failure of Emergency Vehicle Operator to use Reasonable Care

Not to be confused with VTL 1144-a(b) “Failed Due Care For Hazard Vehicle”

One of the rarest tickets issued in New York is for violating Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1144(b). This statute concerns the behavior of those driving emergency vehicles and requires them to drive with “reasonable care”. Such a ticket is almost never issued because of the practicality of who will issue the ticket to who and because of the vagueness of the statute. Pleading guilty to this violation or being found guilty of this violation will put three points on your driving record. The exact fine is up to the judge with the maximum being $275 + $93 mandatory surcharge for a first-time offense. The violation will remain on your driving record for approximately 3-4 years after the date of conviction. Your insurance company will in all likelihood raise your rates with this violation appearing on your driving record.

Text of the Statute

The relevant statute is one sentence and provides as follows:

This section [1144-a] shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with reasonable care for all persons using the highway.

Fighting a § 1144(b) Ticket

There are many methods of fighting traffic tickets. However, appearing in court to dispute the narrative and to give the “correct” version of events will usually not be successful. The ticketing officer will in all likelihood be believed unless there is strong evidence to the contrary, for example dashcam footage. The more successful way of beating traffic tickets is on legal, procedural, and technical grounds. This is where an attorney comes in. A seasoned traffic ticket attorney can go to court in your place and ensure that you do not get points on your license. For more information, you can contact the team at the Benjamin Goldman Law Office. Consultations are complimentary.

Benjamin Goldman Law Office

The Benjamin Goldman Law Office is a law firm that practices New York State traffic ticket defense. We will be glad to take on your 1144(b) ticket. Our firm helps motorists in all areas of the state including the following regions: Long Island, New York City, Catskills, Hudson Valley, Capital District, Western New York, Finger Lakes, Central New York, Southern Tier, North County, and Mohawk Valley. The many five-star reviews attest to the extensive efforts we put into each case. Reach out at your convenience during regular business hours via phone call, text message, or email. If you are a first responder, make sure you ask for the 10% discount.

Fight a VTL § 1144(b) Ticket