Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1182 (1) “Unauthorized Speed Contest”

VTL § 1182 relates to the prohibition of conducting an unauthorized race or speeding contest on a public road. It prohibits involvement whether driving the car or abetting the race in any capacity. Someone can be charged with VTL §1182 even if they were not driving and even if they were not speeding. A conviction of VTL § 1182(1) does not have points but will go on the motorist’s driving record. The maximum fine for a first-time offense is $393. But more importantly, a conviction of Unauthorized Speed Contest means the license must be revoked per § 510-2a. Even more importantly, a conviction of 1182 is a misdemeanor. This means pleading guilty or being found guilty may result in jail time and will result in a permanent criminal record.

Statute

The relevant statute can be found in section 1182 of Vehicle & Traffic Law and provides:

§ 1182. Speed contests and races.
1. Except as provided in section eleven hundred eighty-two-a of this article or section sixteen hundred thirty, sixteen hundred forty, sixteen hundred forty-two or sixteen hundred sixty of this chapter, no races, exhibitions or contests of speed shall be held and no person shall engage in or aid or abet in any motor vehicle or other speed contest or exhibition of speed on a highway. Such event, if held, shall be fully and efficiently patrolled for the entire distance over which such race, exhibition or contest for speed is to be held. Participants in a race, exhibition or contest of speed are exempted from compliance with any traffic laws otherwise applicable thereto, but shall exercise reasonable care. A violation of any of the provisions of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor and be punishable by imprisonment of not more than thirty days or a fine of not less than three hundred dollars nor more than five hundred twenty-five dollars, or both such fine and imprisonment.

2. A second conviction within twelve months of a violation of this section shall be punishable by imprisonment of not more than six months or a fine of not less than five hundred twenty-five dollars nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars, or both such fine and imprisonment.

Defending 1182 Charges

As these are criminal charges, the court will require that you are represented by an attorney. A law firm that is best suited for such charges is one with experience in Criminal Law and Traffic Law. If handled properly, such charges can be beaten. The reason is that the prosecution needs to prove there was an intent on participants to have a contest, and not just that people were just driving fast on the road in what appeared to be a race. There are other possible defenses and ways of attacking the prosecutor’s case and this should be discussed with your attorney.

Benjamin Goldman Law Office

The Benjamin Goldman Law Office is a New York State law firm. We defend motorists with all types of traffic related charges. Our firm takes on common traffic tickets such as speeding and failure to stop at stop sign. We also take on criminal charges such as driving with a suspended license and evading a police officer. The Benjamin Goldman Law Office assists motorists in all parts of New York State. We help clients in Upstate New York, New York City, Long Island, Hudson Valley, Capital District, Northern Country, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, Central New York, Western New York, Southern Tier, and the Catskill Mountains. Our firm welcomes challenging cases and will be glad to review your charges. The Benjamin Goldman Law Office provides free consultations and can be reached by phone call, text message, email, or website submission. We look forward to working on your case.

Fight the VTL § 1182 (1) Ticket