VTL § 1120-(a) “Failed to Keep Right”

Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1120-(a) is a common ticket issued at a highway traffic stop. We have seen it come up in different circumstances. Most often it is issued to a speeding motorist along with a speeding ticket. It is very often issued at an accident scene. You can also get a 1120(a) as a plea offer in court. Many prosecutors will offer to reduce a speeding violation to Failed to Keep Right as a plea bargain.

If you plead guilty to VTL 1120-a you will get three points on your New York driving record. The exact fine is up to the judge with the maximum for a first-time offense being $150 + $93 mandatory surcharge. As this appears on your driving record, you can expect to see increased insurance rates.

Text of the statute

§ 1120. Drive on right side of roadway; exceptions. (a) Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:

1. When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement;

2. When overtaking or passing bicyclists, pedestrians, animals or obstructions on the right half of the roadway;

3. When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway; provided, any person so doing shall yield the right of way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the highway within such distance as to constitute an immediate hazard;

4. Where travel on the shoulder or slope is permitted by section eleven hundred thirty-one of this article;

5. Upon a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon; or

6. Upon a roadway restricted to one-way traffic.

Fighting a VTL 1120-(a) Traffic Ticket

Whether the allegations are inaccurate or accurate, you can still fight the ticket. It is not unethical or illegal to plead Not Guilty even if the charges are entirely true. Submitting a Not Guilty plea does not mean you are claiming the charges are not true. Rather, it means you are availing yourself of your Constitutional rights to require the “People” to prove their case.

In New York State, you can retain a law firm to handle a traffic ticket in its entirety. This means the law firm can file the Not Guilty plea in court for you and make any necessary court appearances in your place. You would be able to get your ticket dismissed or reduced without leaving your home. For more information, you can get in touch with the team at the Benjamin Goldman Law Office.

Benjamin Goldman Law Office

The Benjamin Goldman Law Office is a New York State firm that practices Traffic Law. We operate across the entire state and have seen much success fighting this particular ticket. Our firm has been able to get VTL 1120(a) reduced to a parking ticket or dismissed in many courts, including Lafayette, Middletown, Tonawanda, North Elba, Ramapo, Cohocton, Oneida, and Wallkill. Our team will be glad to take on your case as well. The Benjamin Goldman Law Office provides all motorists with a free consultation. You can reach out at your convenience and tell us about the circumstances leading up to the issuance of the ticket. We can be reached by phone call, text message, email, or website submission.

Fight a VTL § 1120-(a) Ticket