Tag Archives: Miami Traffic Lawyers

Don’t Hold Your Phone in the School Pick-Up Line

October 4, 2019Miami civil traffic tickets, Miami Ticket Law Firm, Miami Traffic Attorney, Miami Traffic LawyersMiami ticket law firm, Miami Traffic Attorneys, Miami Traffic Lawyersadmin

jumping By now you’re probably aware of the new law that went into effect on Tuesday making it illegal to use your phone while driving through a construction, work, or school zone. The law extends Florida’s texting while driving ban, making it illegal to even hold the phone while you’re in or driving through these zones.

The new laws may require some acclimating to avoid running afoul of the law. For example, if you have school-age children, you may be accustomed to using your phone while waiting in the pick-up line for your child. You may be using your phone to communicate with them or someone else as you wait but unless you’re using a hands-free solution, holding your phone while in the pick-up line is illegal.

For the time being, police officers are giving drivers warnings instead of tickets to raise awareness of the new law and so drivers have time to adjust. However, this will be changing once January 1, 2020, comes around which is when officers will begin writing tickets. These citations will start at $60 for anyone who commits a first time offense and it will also add three points to a driver’s license.

This update is brought to you by the Miami traffic attorney team of Hochman & Goldin, P.A. We can assist you with criminal traffic violations and are ready to answer your questions. Please call 305-665-1000 to speak with a red light camera violation attorney today.

This information is provided for educational or informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The information is not provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship and is not intended to substitute for legal advice.

Law Enforcement Is Warning Ridesharing Drivers About Where They Stop

June 12, 2019Miami Ticket Law Firm, Miami Traffic Attorney, Miami Traffic LawyersMiami ticket law firm, Miami Traffic Attorneys, Miami Traffic Lawyersadmin

uber Traffic in Miami is already among the worst in the nation, but are ridesharing drivers making it worse? It’s not uncommon to notice an Uber or Lyft driver stop in the middle of the road to allow passengers to board or exit the vehicle, creating traffic backups and potentially spurring road rage. According to a WSVN article, the Wynwood area is particularly bad, with traffic backing up for more than a block if a driver were to stop on Second Avenue.

Besides causing clogs in traffic, there is also the issue of safety. If a passenger chooses to get out of the vehicle on the opposite side, there is always the risk of oncoming traffic, which could result in the passenger possibly getting hit. How can the issue be solved?

An idea that’s being entertained is having designated locations where drivers can drop off and pick someone up. This means ridesharing drivers would only be permitted to stop in certain locations. However, in order to do that, street parking would need to be cleared.

Have you dealt with Uber and Lyft drivers stopping in front of you?

This update is brought to you by Miami traffic ticket lawyer Hochman & Goldin, P.A. We can assist you with criminal traffic violations and we are ready to answer your questions and help you fight your ticket. Please call 305-665-1000 to speak with a Miami expungement attorney.

Florida Law Enforcement Cracks Down on School Zone Speeding

April 23, 2019Miami Ticket Law Firm, Miami Traffic Attorney, Miami Traffic LawyersMiami ticket law firm, Miami Traffic Attorney, Miami Traffic Lawyersadmin

hochmann For those that like to speed, be careful. Law enforcement officials across the state of Florida are taking extra measures to patrol and crack down on drivers putting the pedal to the metal in school zones. This crackdown as the school year reaches its final weeks.

In the city of Boynton Beach alone, officers wrote more than fifteen tickets near a pair of elementary schools on a single weekday. One of those tickets included a $400+ fine for a driver who was going 25 miles above the speed limit.

Always remember to reduce your speed when you see the flashing school zone lights. Drivers should also remember to watch out and obey crossing guards as well as keep an eye out for children that may be arriving or leaving school on their bicycle as they may be unpredictable. Also, all drivers traveling opposite directions are legally required to stop for school buses that have their flashing, red lights on and the stop sign extended. The exception to this is if there is a barrier or physical median between lanes in two directions.

Major Changes in Store for Downtown Drivers

April 22, 2019Miami Ticket Law Firm, Miami Traffic Attorney, Miami Traffic Lawyers, red light camera violation attorneyMiami ticket law firm, Miami Traffic Attorney, Miami Traffic Lawyers, Red Light Camera Violationadmin

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Those of you that frequently drive in or work in the downtown area of Miami may wish to start preparing yourselves for major changes that could affect your daily commute. Beginning on the 20^th of next month, the Southwest First Street drawbridge over the Miami River is going to be closed as work commences on a $67+ million project to rebuild the bridge. Work is expected to take about three years, with the bridge tentatively scheduled to reopen sometime in June 2022.

The Southwest First Street drawbridge assists with carrying traffic into Miami’s city center. The replacement will include an all-new tender house, new approach spans, plus walkways along the river below the bridge, new riverfront seawalls, and much more. Those that like to use bikes to get around will also be able to make use of a future bike lane, expected to be five feet by five inches wide.

Anyone who uses the Southwest First Street will likely need to take a detour to northbound Southwest Seventh Avenue and make use of West Flagler Street bridge. Drivers should also be aware that the roadway along North River Drive and South River Drive when nearing Southwest First Street will be shut down to through traffic.

This update is brought to you by the Miami traffic attorney teamof Hochman & Goldin, P.A. We can assist you with criminal traffic violations and are ready to answer your questions. Please call 305-665-1000 to speak with a red light camera violation attorney today.

Pulled over by an Officer? Don’t Panic

April 12, 2019Miami Ticket Law Firm, Miami Traffic Attorney, Miami Traffic LawyersMiami ticket law firm, Miami Traffic Attorneys, Miami Traffic Lawyersadmin

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While most of us would likely consider ourselves to be good drivers, there may still come a moment when a law enforcement officer will ask you to pull over. This can obviously be an anxiety causing experience, but you can take steps to ease the nerves by keeping a few things in mind.

Always remember to immediately steer over to the shoulder or right hand curb once it’s safe. Make sure your hands are visible and consider turning on the interior light of your vehicle if it’s dark outside. Any questions that are asked should be answered with politeness and honesty, but always ask for an explanation if you’re having trouble understanding something. Be sure to show your driver license, vehicle registration, and insurance proof when it’s requested. If the officer does issue you a citation remember that accepting it does not necessarily mean you are admitting you were guilty. You may still fight the citation in court.

While traffic violations are a common reason why an officer may pull you over, keep in mind that there are other reasons too. Having a broken taillight, not using your headlights in the dark, or having an outstanding warrant may also lead to a traffic stop.

This update is brought to you by the Miami traffic ticket attorney team of Hochman & Goldin, P.A. We can assist you with criminal traffic violations and we are ready to answer your questions. Please call 305-665-1000 to speak with one of the Miami criminal traffic lawyers today.

A Friendly Reminder on the Use of Flashers

April 9, 2019Miami Expungement Attorney, Miami Ticket Law Firm, Miami Traffic Attorney, Miami Traffic Lawyersmiami expungement attorney, Miami ticket law firm, Miami Traffic Attorney, Miami Traffic Lawyersadmin

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Hurricane season is approaching in less than three months, which means Mother Nature may decide to send more rain our way, making the roads slicker and more dangerous for South Florida drivers. We’ve mentioned in the past but it’s worth reminding drivers regarding the proper use of their vehicle lights when it’s raining.

When it is raining yes, you should definitely have your headlights on so that others can spot your vehicle during a heavy downpour. What you shouldn’t do? Use your hazard lights. You’ve likely seen drivers use their hazard lights on more than one rainy occasion for seemingly no reason at all. It’s worth reminding users that using these hazard lights on already dangerous roads is only making things more confusing and dangerous for fellow drivers. While there may be good intentions behind it, using hazards (or “flashers”) is illegal and may result in a fine.

The flashers are intended to be used if the vehicle is pulled over on the side of the road, if it is disabled, or if it’s in an accident. The only scenario where flashers should be used while a vehicle is in motion is when it is part of a funeral procession.

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April Is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April 5, 2019Miami Ticket Law Firm, Miami Traffic Attorney, Miami Traffic LawyersMiami Speeding Ticket Lawyer, Miami ticket law firm, Miami Traffic Lawyersadmin

Driving

The Florida Highway Patrol is joining forces with others including the Florida Department of Transportation to promote Distracted Driving Awareness Month during the month of April.

Last year, well over 50,000 crashes in Florida were due to distracted driving, which means there were about 1,000 crashes each week involving distracted drivers. In fact, April had the dubious honor of having the second largest number of fatalities that were caused by distracted drivers.

Research has shown that driving distracted reduces reaction times, placing the driver, passengers, as well as fellow drivers on the road at greater risk. To avoid a crash, a driver must have sufficient time to perceive the imminent hazard, react, and also allow the vehicle sufficient time to hit the brakes.

All of this can happen in milliseconds. Drives below the age of thirty comprised about thirty percent of all fatalities resulting from distracted driving. It is important for parents to sit down and talk with their children about how imperative it is to practice responsible driving.

This update is brought to you by the Miami traffic ticket lawyer team of Hochman & Goldin, P.A. We can assist you with criminal traffic violations and are ready to answer your questions. Please call 305-665-1000 to speak with a Miami speeding t icket lawyer today.

Is It Okay to Pass a Police Officer?

March 20, 2019Miami Ticket Law Firm, Miami Traffic Attorney, Miami Traffic Lawyersmiami expungement attorney, Miami ticket law firm, Miami Traffic Attorney, Miami Traffic Lawyersadmin

cops There are the unwritten rules of the road and then there are the ones that become law. Drivers often tense up when they spot law enforcement nearby. If you’re driving behind one of these vehicles and they happen to be driving really slow, the unofficial rule is to be patient and not pass the vehicle.

Drivers should know that the rule is indeed unofficial. In other words, there is no law stating that it is illegal to pass a police officer. However, if you do decide to pass, it’s also wise to proceed with caution. Most drivers will refrain from passing a law enforcement vehicle as it may result in drawing unwanted attention. Depending on what the driver may or may not be doing, this could put them at greater odds of receiving a traffic ticket.

If you are on the roads and you’re noticing the police officer in front of you is driving slow, try and look for any reasons as to why. The officer may be part of a funeral procession, which has its own set of laws. If the coast seems clear and you’re not doing anything wrong, you can pass the officer without breaking the law, but always use your best judgment and follow the laws of the road if you decide to do so.

Texting While Driving Bill Receives Major Endorsement

February 8, 2019Miami Ticket Law Firm, Miami Traffic Attorney, Miami Traffic LawyersMiami ticket law firm, Miami Traffic Attorney, Miami Traffic Lawyersadmin

textDrive-1 All eyes are once again on texting and driving as the latest Florida bill attempt makes it way through all of the required hurdles. The bill recently received another boost after the Florida Police Chiefs Association gave its endorsement to the bill, which would allow a law enforcement officer to pull a driver if they are caught texting and driving without using a hands-free device.

Dubbed HB 107, texting while driving would be “upgraded” from its current status as a secondary offense to a primary once should a driver attempt to use their cell phone in front of a police officer. In its current form as a secondary offense, an officer may only cite the driver for texting while driving if they are pulled over for another reason such as speeding. Officers have also faced the scenario where a driver will state they were not texting and the officer cannot take their phone to verify whether the driver was telling the truth without a warrant.

Last year, a similar bill made its way through the legislative session, successfully passing the State House. The bill ultimately “died” when the Florida Senate failed to approve it.

This update is brought to you by the Miami traffic ticket lawyer team of team of Hochman & Goldin, P.A. We can assist you with criminal traffic violations and are ready to answer your questions. Please call 305-665-1000 to speak with a Miami speeding t icket lawyer today.

The ‘Click It or Ticket’ Campaign Has Commenced

May 22, 2018Blog, Miami Ticket Law Firm, Miami Traffic Attorney, Miami Traffic LawyersMiami ticket law firm, Miami Traffic Attorney, Miami Traffic Lawyersadmin

The 'Click It or Ticket' Campaign Has Commenced Make sure to buckle up folks, as law enforcement agencies throughout the nation will be cracking down on seatbelt violators. The well-known “Click it or ticket” is a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration campaign that actively promotes the use of seatbelts among young people.

The nationwide ‘Click it or Ticket’ campaign runs May 21 through June 3, 2018, and entails law enforcement agencies actively enforcing all seatbelt violations. In Florida, law enforcement agencies and Florida Highway Patrol strongly promote the ‘Click it or Ticket’ campaign and encourage the use of seatbelts.

Before 2009, disregarding your seatbelt was not a violation of law, but it became a primary offense with the Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law. With the enactment of this law, all passengers under the age of 18 are required to buckle up. Due to the nature of being classified as a primary offense, law enforcement does not need any other reason to pull over offenders.

To ensure your safety and avoidance of a ticket, just click it!

This update is brought to you by the Miami traffic ticket attorney team of Hochman & Goldin, P.A. We can assist you with criminal traffic violations and we are ready to answer your questions. Please call 305-515-5849 to speak with one of the Miami criminal traffic lawyers today.