Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1215, “Failed to Keep Right/Mountain Highway

VTL § 1215 is a violation that is ticketed infrequently. It mainly concerns the failure to keep right whilst going up or down a mountain. The statute requires two things. 1) driver to stay on the right-hand side (already required to under VTL 1120-a); 2) driver needs to honk when view is obstructed to warn oncoming motorists. Pleading guilty or being found guilty of this violation will put two points on your driving record. The exact fine is determined by the judge with the maximum being $150 + $93 mandatory surcharge for a first-time offense. The violation will remain on your driving record for approximately four years after the date of conviction. Your insurance company will probably raise your premiums with this violation appearing on your driving record.

Text of the Statute

The relevant statute is one sentence and provides as follows:

§ 1215. Driving on mountain highways. The driver of a motor vehicle traveling through defiles or canyons or on mountain highways shall hold such motor vehicle under control and as near the right-hand edge of the highway as reasonably possible and, upon approaching any curve where the view is obstructed within a distance of two hundred feet along the highway, shall give audible warning with the horn of such motor vehicle.

Fighting a § 1215 Traffic Ticket

There are several methods of fighting traffic tickets. Appearing in court to dispute the narrative and to give the “correct” version of events is usually unsuccessful. The ticketing officer will likely be believed unless there is strong evidence to the contrary, for example video footage. The more successful way of beating traffic tickets is on legal, procedural, and technical grounds. This is where a traffic ticket law firm comes in. An experienced traffic ticket attorney can go to court in your place and ensure that you do not get points on your license. For more detailed information, you can contact the team at the Benjamin Goldman Law Office. Consultations are free.

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 VTL 1215 ticket. Our firm helps motorists in all areas of the state including the following regions: Long Island, New York City, Catskill Mountains, Hudson Valley, Capital District, Western New York, Finger Lakes, Central New York, Southern Tier, North County, Upstate New York, and Mohawk Valley. The many five-star testimonials attest to the extensive efforts we put into each case. Reach out at your convenience during regular business hours via phone call, text message, website submission, or email.

Fight a VTL § 1215 Ticket