Pedestrians vs. The NYC driving public. The prize is beating an NYC parking ticket for “blocking the box”
Ladies and Gentlemen, in the red corner you have NYC pedestrians and residents shouting about noise and traffic congestion. In the green corner, you have the NYC driving public yelling about draconian fines for trying to navigate through a crowded intersection during rush hour. This onerous NYC parking ticket costs $115. This is the main event.
Violation Code (VC) 9 prohibits:
Obstructing traffic at an intersection also known as “Blocking the Box”
The white crosswalk lines in NYC make a box. When a traffic light turns green, and traffic is stopped on the opposite side of the intersection, no operator can enter the box unless there is sufficient unobstructed space beyond the far crosswalk in the lane you are traveling to accommodate your vehicle; despite any traffic control signal allowing you to proceed. Whew, tough assignment.
Background
“Blocking the Box” has been an emotional issue for many years in NYC. In a 2006 study conducted by Borough President Scott Stringer’s office, more than 3,000 blocking the box violations were observed at 10 locations in Manhattan during a single nine-hour period, but no driver received a ticket. As a result of the lack of compliance and enforcement of the NYC moving violation for “Blocking the Box,” legislation was enacted on July 7, 2008, making “Blocking the Box” a parking violation; subjecting the driving public to a fine, but no points.
“Blocking the Box” was accorded dual status as a moving violation and a parking violation.
Impact on the driving public
On one hand, the DOF giveth by eliminating 2 points and adverse impact on your insurance rates. On the other hand, the DOF taketh away by raising the fine in NYC from $90 to $115; and allowing any NYC parking ticket warrior to issue a summons for “Blocking the Box”. Prior to the legislation, only police officers could issue moving violations.
Can you beat this NYC parking ticket?
Yes.
Lawrence Berezin
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how can you beat this ticket, we got one as we approached the box and a woman PO was crossing the street, when she passed our car anther officer scanned our vehicle and I told him I was waiting for her to cross and my right signal is on and I continue into the next lane, never got a ticket there but a prepenalty notice for non payment came in the mail today
it was a left turn lane
Hi Will,
Sorry to hear about your blocking the box pain.
You have a valid defense to the nasty ticket. However, your challenge will be to persuade a judge that you were in the process of making a turn. It is a tough ticket to beat.
Regards,
Larry
got a ticket today for blocking the box.
THE plate number is wrong. Is this be enforced?
Hi, Maria,
Good afternoon. Great luck.
If the plate number is wrong, you win.
You can either fight it or ignore it.
I prefer eliminating bad karma and would fight it.
-Submit photographs of:
The ticket
Your registration
The front of your car
Close-up on registration sticker on windshield
Close-up of plate
I fight ’em online.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
was in (NYC) driving on straightaway path with green light person jay walked into street i stopped before the cross walk traffic personnel walked over and scanned (reg) stated i was obstructing traffic at intersection what did i do wrong ? follow zero vision Yield for pedestrians and how it goes No good deed goes unpunished In addition Traffic agent put himself and my passengers into harms way by walking up to the vehicle without me knowing that that was his intentions tax [Name omitted by Larry] traffic/ stop jay walking not safe a lot of people are victims of hit and runs do it the right way next time keep Prevent the pedestrian from Jay walking into oncoming traffic. i will contest this and post the out come thanks for the information .