Rochester gets new traffic court

The New York State Legislature has approved a bill which will allow Rochester officials to establish a local traffic court which will give city residents the same flexibility in adjudication of traffic infractions as their neighbors in suburban communities.

The measure was proposed by Mayor Lovely Warren last year, and passed the Legislature last month. The bill still must go to Gov. Andrew Cuomo to be signed into law.

In other places, someone getting a traffic ticket gets more flexibility, such as a chance to work out a payment plan or pleading to a lesser charge, options not available in Rochester. The result can be a driver losing their driving privileges, which interferes their ability to get to a job or college classes.

The new law will apply to traffic infractions such as speeding, running a red light or failure to signal, but not parking violations. The new law will take effect 270 days after it is signed by Cuomo.