The enforcement effort was carried out by a multi-agency Ghost Plate Task Force that included the NYPD, MTA Police, Nassau and Suffolk County Police Departments, and the New York City Sheriff’s Office.
From the perspective of our New York car accident attorneys, this operation addresses a serious and growing threat to public safety on New York roadways.
What Are Ghost Plates and Why Are They Dangerous?
Ghost plates typically involve paper license plates, altered or counterfeit temporary tags, fraudulent plates, or plate covers designed to obscure a vehicle’s identifying information. These plates are often used to evade tolls, traffic cameras, and law enforcement, making it far more difficult to identify drivers involved in reckless driving, hit-and-run crashes, and other serious traffic violations.
Authorities focused on violations involving fraudulent license plates, illegal plate covers, fake or altered temporary tags, and illegal window tints. Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. stated that these deceptive practices pose a serious threat to public safety and are frequently used to conceal a driver’s identity and facilitate criminal activity.
Why Ghost Plates Matter After a Car Accident
The charges stemming from the crackdown underscore the danger posed by ghost plates. Those arrested face allegations including aggravated unlicensed operation, criminal possession of stolen property, criminal contempt, and driving while intoxicated. These are the same types of violations that often lead to catastrophic motor vehicle crashes and life-altering injuries.
When a crash involves a vehicle with a paper or fraudulent plate, identifying the at-fault driver can become significantly more difficult. Ghost plates can delay investigations, complicate insurance claims, and increase the likelihood that a driver will flee the scene. In hit-and-run cases, lost time often means lost evidence.
How This Enforcement Protects New Yorkers
Crackdowns like this are about more than traffic violations. They are a critical step toward preventing serious injuries and fatalities by removing vehicles that intentionally evade identification. Increased enforcement improves accountability and helps protect pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers throughout New York.
What Injured Victims Should Know
If you or a loved one has been injured in a New York car accident, particularly a hit-and-run or a crash involving a vehicle with a ghost or paper plate, it is important to act quickly. Surveillance footage and witness statements can disappear within days.
Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf represents victims of serious car accidents throughout New York. The firm’s attorneys are experienced in complex investigations, including cases involving unidentified or unlawfully registered vehicles. To discuss your legal rights and options, call 212-943-1090 for a free consultation or fill a form online with an experienced New York car accident lawyer.