🚔 Who’s Getting Pulled Over? A Look at NYS and NYC Traffic Ticket Trends in 2023 *
If you think police-issued traffic tickets are down because of all the speed and red-light cameras, think again. While automated enforcement may grab headlines, millions of drivers across New York are still getting pulled over the old-fashioned way—by officers with pens and pads or a tablet computer.
In 2023, the numbers tell a revealing story about where tickets are being issued, what violations are being cited, and how enforcement differs between boroughs and outer counties.
Let’s break it down.
📉 Statewide Traffic Ticket Totals (Non-Camera Only)
According to the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR), total traffic tickets issued by law enforcement officers in New York State dropped by 35% in 2023 compared to 2022. But don’t let that stat fool you—hundreds of thousands of tickets were still written for violations like:
Speeding
Cell phone use
Failure to yield
Unsafe lane changes
Following too closely
Disobeying traffic control devices
📍 Ticket Breakdown by County (Selected Examples)
🚨 Bronx County
Speeding tickets issued by police:
2022: 17,266
2023: 9,391
🔻Down 45.6%
🚨 Montgomery County (Upstate NY)
Speeding tickets:
2022: 4,577
2023: 3,361
🔻Down 26.6%
All traffic tickets:
2022: 14,576
2023: 12,250
🔻Down 15.9%
🚨 Richmond County (Staten Island)
Speeding tickets saw a moderate decline of about 6.9%.
🚨 Broome, Albany, Dutchess, and Kings Counties (Brooklyn)
Each saw modest reductions in police-issued speeding tickets ranging from 4% to 8.5%.
📊 Why Are Tickets Dropping?
There are several possible reasons for this statewide decline:
Shift to automated enforcement (though not reflected in these numbers)
Reduced traffic stops due to law enforcement staffing or policy priorities
Post-COVID driving behavior changes, including less commuting in some regions
Increased legal awareness—more drivers are fighting back or driving cautiously
Still, don’t let the decline lull you into thinking traffic stops are rare.
📌 What Are Cops Still Ticketing for Most?
In NYC and the rest of the state, speeding remains the most common moving violation issued by live officers. But that’s not all:
Texting or using a handheld phone while driving is a major source of tickets, particularly in urban areas.
Failure to yield to pedestrians and improper turns are frequently ticketed in NYC boroughs.
Unsafe lane changes and tailgating are common upstate and on highways like the Thruway and I-87.
🛑 Getting Pulled Over Still Has Consequences
Unlike camera violations, these tickets carry points, potential insurance hikes, and sometimes license suspension—especially for CDL holders or repeat offenders.
If you're issued a moving violation, it's critical to respond correctly. Pleading guilty without understanding the points and consequences can lead to long-term headaches.
👨⚖️ I Can Help You Fight It
Whether you were pulled over in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Long Island, or upstate, I’ve been fighting traffic tickets in New York for over 30 years. I know how to:
Assess your case for the best possible defense
Help avoid or reduce points
Navigate local traffic courts with skill and speed
Every point matters. Every driver matters. Don’t roll over and accept a bad outcome when there are options.
🧭 Bottom Line
🚨 While total officer-issued tickets dropped in 2023, enforcement is still strong—especially for speeding and cell phone use.
📍 Certain counties like the Bronx saw major drops, while others (like Kings and Dutchess) only dipped slightly.
⚠️ Automated enforcement may be rising, but live officer stops are still happening daily—and still carry heavier penalties.
Got a Ticket? Call Michael E. Beer, Esq.
📞 Serving NYC, Nassau, Suffolk & All of New York
💼 30+ years of experience | Personalized Service
🌐 www.5TownsTraffic.com
📧 Call, text, or email today – because your license is worth protecting.
2023 was chosen as that is the most recent year with full statistics
