VTL § 1129(c) “Failed to Leave Sufficient Space (Caravan / Motorcade)”

Not to be confused with VTL 1129(a), “Following Too Closely”

Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1129(c) concerns the appropriate conduct of cars in a motorcade. The law requires that all vehicles leave sufficient space for another vehicle that is not part of the motorcade to enter between them. There is an exception for a funeral procession. Due to the specific nature of this violation, a ticket for this violation is rarely issued.

A conviction of this violation, whether by trial or pleading guilty, will put four points on your driving record. The fine is up to the court with the maximum being $150 for a first-time offender. There is also a mandatory surcharge of $88 if the ticket was issued in NYC and $93 if the ticket was issued outside of New York City. Increased insurance rates can be the costliest aspect of this ticket. The violation will remain on your driving abstract for 3-4 years after the date of conviction.

Text of the Statute (link)

Motor vehicles being driven upon any roadway outside of a business or residence district in a caravan or motorcade whether or not towing other vehicles shall be so operated as to allow sufficient space between each such vehicle or combination of vehicles so as to enable any other vehicle to enter and occupy such space without danger. This provision shall not apply to funeral processions.

Disputing 1129(c) Charges

There are several defenses and methods of disputing such charges. Arguing in court what did or did not happen rarely works. Most good defenses involve legal, technical, or procedural arguments. The argument boils down to the claim that the “People” failed to comply with requirements of establishing a prima facie case.

Many people are hesitant to plead Not Guilty to a traffic ticket. One reason is that they mistakenly assume that pleading Not Guilty means you are claiming that the ticketing officer was lying or was mistaken. If this is not accurate, then the person is worried about the moral or ethical aspect of pleading Not Guilty. However, this is irrelevant. Pleading Not Guilty just means that you are availing yourself of your constitutional rights. Pleading Not Guilty merely means that you want the ticketing officer to prove the case. Any motorist that receives a traffic ticket can dispute the charges whether the alleged facts are entirely true, entirely false, or something in between.

New York State law provides that an attorney can handle a traffic ticket in the place of the defendant. Your attorney can file the Not Guilty plea and any other paperwork in court for you and make any necessary court appearances in your place. The charges can be dropped or reduced without you having to take time off from work or even leaving your home. For more detailed 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 New York State law firm that practices traffic ticket defense. We will be glad to take on your 1129(c) ticket. Our firm helps motorists all across the state including the following regions: Long Island, New York City, Catskills, Hudson Valley, Capital District, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Southern Tier, Central New York, Finger Lakes, and Western New York. Attorneys at the Benjamin Goldman Law Office are diligent and persistent in their quest to obtain the most optimal disposition for each case. They utilize all legal techniques and pursue all possible avenues to get the best possible result. The many five-star reviews are a testament to these efforts. We will be glad to take your 1129c ticket. Reach out at your convenience.

Fight a VTL § 1129(c) Ticket