New York State is tightening penalties for reckless driving with a major overhaul of its point system.

The Department of Motor Vehicles has revised the way it tracks driving offenses, including extending the length of time that points will remain on drivers’ records.

According to drivers, the roads have become increasingly hazardous, with many describing a chaotic driving environment where cars are speeding recklessly, weaving in and out of lanes, and exceeding limits in construction zones.

The state is responding to these concerns. As noted by Governor Kathy Hochul, the DMV has introduced what it calls “significant and aggressive” measures to improve road safety, though the changes have been implemented quietly without much public attention. In fact, the DMV’s website hasn’t even been updated to reflect these new rules. However, the new system went into effect on November 6.

One of the most notable changes is that certain violations, which previously did not result in points, will now carry penalties.

Among the revised rules are:
• 11 points for offenses related to alcohol or drugs and driving without a valid license
• 8 points for hitting an overpass
• 5 points for participating in illegal street races
• And higher penalties for actions like leaving the scene of an accident (increased from 3 to 5 points), speeding in work zones (increased from 3-11 to 8 points), and passing a stopped school bus (increased from 5 to 8 points)

Matthew Weiss, a New York ticket attorney, describes this as a monumental shift.

“I have not seen DMV make such extensive changes to the point system, ever,” Weiss said.

Drivers will also face higher costs as each point is accompanied by a driver responsibility assessment fee. For example, speeding in a work zone will now cost an additional $850.

“I think this is a cash grab, even though there are some changes that are effective… The biggest change here is that it’s going to cost motorists a lot more money,” Weiss commented.

Driver safety advocate Dawn Riendeau, whose daughter was killed by an unlicensed driver, supports the changes. She believes the new penalties are a necessary step to improve safety.

“Someone who’s lost a family member, such as myself – my daughter, doesn’t look at it as a money grab. We look at it as a way to save lives. People have to be held accountable for their actions,” Riendeau stated.

The DMV argues that these reforms are designed to “bolster the ability to remove drivers who engage in risky behavior, and make it more difficult for persistent violators to get back their driving privilege.”

“If the penalty doesn’t seem to be deterring you, maybe the penalty has to be raised. I don’t have a problem with that,” said one driver.

“It promotes safety. It does. It almost forces your hand to stop,” another driver commented.

Additionally, points will now remain on a driver’s record for 24 months, rather than the previous 18, which means that drivers who accumulate more than 10 points within two years will be at a higher risk of having their license suspended.

Some drivers feel the new regulations are still too lenient. One change reduces the number of DWIs required before a driver’s license is revoked, from five to four.

The law could also affect your car insurance rates. Any time a driver has a suspension, it will be considered a negative factor for three years.

{Matzav.com}