Rubert v. Hults ( 1967 )

Order of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, dated July 8, 1966, modified, on the facts and in the exercise of discretion, without costs, to the extent that the penalty in the Commissioner’s order is reduced to a 30-day suspension. The record contains substantial evidence to support the finding that petitioner violated subdivision (a) of section 1142 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, by failing to yield the right of way. No exceptions were noted to the manner in which the hearing was conducted nor to any alleged limitations of cross-examination, and we find that petitioner was afforded a fair hearing. However, we believe that, in view of all the circumstances, the penalty of a 90-day suspension is inordinately severe and constitutes an improvident exercise of discretion. Petitioner requires the daily use of his truck for his business, which is a one-man operation. While some bad judgment is manifest in his driving, there is no claim that he is guilty of “gross negligence” or “reckless disregard for life or property” (Vehicle and Traffic Law, § 510, subd. 3, par. [e]). We feel that a penalty above a 30-day suspension would shock our sense of fairness, (see Matter of Koppel v. Suits, 20 A D 2d 669; Matter of Matoslcey v. Suits, 24 A D 2d 703). Ughetta, Acting P. J., Christ, Brennan, Rabin and Hopkins, JJ., concur.