Seth Azria Logo

NY Traffic Ticket Defense Articles

Legal insights, guides, and tips for handling traffic tickets in New York.

NY Traffic Laws 3 min read

Stop Signs in New York: What, Where, and Who

By Seth M. Azria, Esq.

What: Penalties for Running a Stop Sign

Failing to stop for a stop sign violates New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1172(a). If convicted or if you plead guilty, a driver faces:

  • Base Fine: Maximum statutory fine of $150 for a first offense.
  • Mandatory Surcharge: Mandatory state surcharge of $93 ($88 in city courts).
  • DMV Points: 3 points assessed to your New York driving record.

Where: Where Must You Stop?

Under NY VTL 1172, a driver approaching a stop sign must come to a complete stop:

  1. At the Stop Line: At a clearly marked stop line painted on the roadway.
  2. At the Crosswalk: If no stop line is present, before entering the marked crosswalk.
  3. At the Intersection: If there is no crosswalk, at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic, without entering the intersection.

Who: Legal Requirements & Rare Exemptions

All drivers are legally required to stop at stop signs. A rare exception applies to drivers who act involuntarily due to sudden medical emergencies, such as unforeseen seizures or blackouts, rendering them unconscious at the time the vehicle crossed the stop sign.

Received a Stop Sign Ticket in New York?

Don't let a 3-point stop sign ticket impact your insurance premiums or driving record. Contact Azria Law Office today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

Get Your Free Case Evaluation
Google Review

I got a ticket upstate, hours from home and my boyfriend got in touch with Seth. He told us about the diversion program used in that county and that it’d not be necessary to get a lawyer. There was no benefit for him in helping but he did it anyway. He returned our call promptly, explained the process and texted us links. He was so helpful and resourceful. I would absolutely recommend him to anyone looking for help with tickets upstate!

Google Review

Can't say enough good things about Seth Azaria and his firm. I called around to several different law offices for a consult on my ticket and Seth was the best price hands down. Not only was it a good value but the legal service was top notch. Seth was able to get my 4pt ticket down to 0 points and the fine down to 25% of what it originally was. Great communication from the office all the way through the process. Would go back to Seth 10/10 times

Google Review

Amazing lawyer! 21mph over in a school zone turned into a small parking violation with a small fee and no points on my license.

Perfect

As mentioned in many of the other reviews. Seth and Monica spelled out what should happen and it did. Ticket for my daughter from our of state was reduced to nonmoving violation. She was visiting colleges in NY, as she only has her permit a moving violation would have resulted in, a loss of her license for 3 months, driving school, and fines etc... 
I had no referral, just read the reviews and crossed my fingers. The price was affordable, they were very responsive, I could not be happier. Wished I had used him a couple of years ago when I got a ticket in NYC that I made the very expensive mistake of trying to defend myself...