Drivers Take Heed: NY State Cops Start Summer Speed Week

Starting here, starting now: New York state police will conduct a week-long enforcement initiative to crack down on speeding and aggressive drivers across the Empire State. The “Speed Week” campaign began Thursday morning and it runs through Wednesday.

Why do it when it's not a holiday weekend? Speeding is listed as a contributing factor in nearly one third of all fatal crashes in New York, police officials said.

And here's a horrible statistic: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for people ages 3 to 33.

During this summer’s Speed Week, troopers will be using both marked state police cars and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement vehicles as part of the operation. Those blend in with everyday traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated. And they allow troopers to more easily identify motorists who are violating laws while driving, state officials said.

Troopers will also be watching for other traffic violations, including distracted or impaired drivers, vehicle occupants who are not properly buckled up, and drivers that are violating New York’s Move Over law.

“Our top priority, as with all traffic enforcement, is safety," New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II said in an announcement about the enforcement drive. "The public can do their part to keep our streets safe simply by slowing down. Follow the posted speed limits, watch your speed and put your electronic devices down. These proactive measures will reduce the number of motor vehicle accidents and increase the chances of everyone making it to their destinations safely.”

During the August 2017 Speed Week campaign, state police issued more than 19,000 traffic tickets including more than 7,900 for speeding, and over 580 for distracted driving.

Funding for the Speed Week initiative is provided through a grant from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

What's the risk, aside from killing yourself or someone else?

The fines for speeding on 55 mph highway or posted 65 mph zones are as follows:

• 10 mph or less over the limit - min $45/max $150
• 11- 30 mph over the limit - min $90/max $300
• 31 mph or more over the limit - min $180/max $600

Second Conviction

• 10 mph or less over the limit - min $45/max $300
• 11 - 30 over the limit - min $90 /max $450
• 31 or more over the limit - min $180/max $750

Third Conviction

• 10 mph or less over the limit - min $45/max $525
• 11 - 30 over the limit - min $90 /max $675
• 31 or more over the limit - min $180/max $975

Court Surcharges are as follows:

• Town or village courts - $93
• Other Courts (city traffic courts, etc.) - $88

Violation Point Structure:

• 1-10 mph over limit = 3 points
• 11-20 mph over limit = 4 points
• 21 - 30 mph over limit = 6 points
• 30 - 40 mph over limit = 8 points

More than 40 mph over limit = 11 points (triggers suspension)

PHOTO/ NYSP