Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1217, “Following Fire Apparatus Too Closely”

Do you know the signs in the back of the fire truck that say, “Keep Back 200 Feet”? That is not a request or a suggestion, it is a law. VTL 1217 prohibits following a fire vehicle when it is on a call. Neither directly behind or in the lane adjacent. VTL 1217 also prohibits driving into a block or within 1000 feet where a fire truck has stopped to answer a call.

Similar to the general statute of Following Too Closely, a conviction of this ticket will put four points on your driving record. The exact fine is determined by the judge. Outside of New York City the fine can go up to $243. In New York City, the fine is generally $138. However, the most significant cost of this ticket is the increased insurance rates. With this violation appearing on your record, your insurance company will increase your premiums for several years.

Statute

The wording of the relevant statute is as follows:

§ 1217. Following emergency fire vehicles prohibited. The driver of any vehicle other than one on official business shall not follow any authorized emergency fire vehicle in the same lane or an adjacent lane to the one being used by such fire vehicle at a distance closer than two hundred feet while such fire vehicle is displaying one or more red or combination red and white lights, or one white light which must be a revolving, rotating, flashing, oscillating or constantly moving light, nor shall such driver drive into or park his or her vehicle within the block or where there is no block, within one thousand feet of where such fire vehicle has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.

Fighting a 1217 Traffic Ticket

Just because you in fact committed the charged violation does not mean you have to plead guilty. It is not unethical or immoral to plead Not Guilty to a ticket that is correct. Pleading Not Guilty does not mean you are telling the court that the allegations are untrue. Rather it means you are telling the court that you are utilizing your Constitutional rights to require that the case be proven. There are several steps that must be undertaken to properly prosecute a traffic violation. The failure to go through the necessary steps can result in dismissal of the ticket. This is how good traffic ticket attorneys are usually able to beat 1217 charges. If there is a contradiction or omission, whether a factual issue or a legal issue, the ticket is ripe for dismissal.

Benjamin Goldman Law Office

The Benjamin Goldman Law Office is a New York State traffic ticket defense firm. We help motorists in New York City, Long Island, and all other areas of the state. Our firm helps clients in Central New York, Finger Lakes, Western New York, Southern Tier, Catskill Mountains, Upstate New York, Hudson Valley, Capital District, Mohawk Valley, and North Country. The team at the Benjamin Goldman Law Office will be glad to take on your case. You contact us at your convenience during regular business. We are available by phone call, website submission, text message, or email. Consultations are always free.

Fight the VTL § 1217 Ticket