Starting later this month, New York State drivers will face significantly tougher traffic violation penalty points. Driver’s license suspension criteria will be stricter, and new points will be imposed for certain violations, such as making illegal U-turns and refusing to yield to emergency vehicles, significantly increasing the severity of penalties.
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced that these new points will go into effect on the 26th. Under the new points regulations, drivers who have accumulated 11 or more points within 18 months will face a driver’s license suspension, which will be increased to 10 or more points within 24 months. The points awarded for existing violations will also be significantly increased.
Speeding by 1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit will see a point increase from 3 to 4 and using a cell phone while driving will see a point increase from 5 to 6. Reckless driving will see its penalty point increase from 5 to 8, and running a school bus stop signal will also see its penalty point increase from 5 to 8. New penalty points will also be introduced.
Vehicle equipment defects, such as malfunctioning headlights or taillights or excessive window tinting, will now be assessed one penalty point, while obstructing traffic, such as illegal U-turns and tailgating at intersections, will each receive two penalty points. For example, if caught with excessively dark window tinting and an illegal U-turn, a total of three penalty points will be issued, which will lead to a warning and increased risk of increased car insurance premiums.
Furthermore, a new three-point penalty has been introduced for vehicles that refuse to yield to emergency vehicles. In the case of DWI, if a warning is issued, the penalty points will be increased from 4 to 6 points (previously no penalty) to 7 to 10 points (previously no penalty) if a safe driving class is ordered, and if a driver is summoned for a license suspension hearing, the penalty points will be increased from 11 points to 11 or more points (previously 11 points).
If a driver is drunk driving four or more times, the driver’s license will be permanently revoked. According to the new regulations, drivers who receive four to six penalty points within 24 months will be issued an early warning. If they receive seven to 10 points, they will be required to take driver improvement education, and if they receive 11 points or more, they will be referred to a license suspension hearing.
In addition, if they violate traffic laws three or more times in a short period, they may be referred to a hearing regardless of the penalty points.