- New limits on driver points could catch many New Yorkers off guard.
- Some everyday violations may now come with unexpectedly steep fines.
- A single mistake on the road could carry harsher penalties next year.
Drivers in New York should prepare for stricter rules from early next year, as the state tightens its driver points system and increases penalties for a range of traffic violations.
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The goal is to rein in reckless behavior on the roads, though how evenly these new measures are enforced will depend largely on local policy. Studies suggest overall traffic enforcement still hasn’t bounced back to pre-pandemic levels, which could complicate consistent application.
What’s Changing?
The most significant update concerns how many points a driver can accumulate before facing suspension. At present, motorists who rack up 11 or more points within an 18-month period risk losing their license. Beginning next year, that threshold drops to 10 points over 24 months, meaning drivers will have to stay in check for longer stretches.
The point values for several offences have also been revised. Getting caught speeding 10 mph over the limit will soon cost 4 points instead of 3.
Read: NY’s Most Dangerous Driver Racked Up Over 560 Tickets Last Year
Additionally, drivers caught using their phone behind the wheel can be hit with an instant 6 points, up from 5. Failure to yield for a pedestrian has increased from 3 to 5 points, and reckless driving has risen from 5 to 8 points.
And that’s not all. Drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus will immediately incur 8 points, a punishment that can swiftly push a license toward suspension. The same 8-point hit applies to anyone caught speeding through a construction zone, regardless of how far over the limit they go, according to News10 .
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Stricter Penalties
Several other traffic offences now carry the risk of points deductions. New Yorkers can instantly lose 2 points for performing an illegal U-turn or obstructing traffic. If found failing to move over for an emergency vehicle, there’s a 3-point penalty, and equipment violations now carry a 1-point penalty.
Local authorities have also changed how they deal with repeat offenders driving under the influence. Individuals with four or more DWI convictions can now have their driving license permanently suspended, which, as we’re sure most will agree, is a very good thing.
As The New York Times reports, traffic enforcement in New York dropped sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic and hasn’t fully recovered in many cities.
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Whether police departments will actively enforce these stricter standards remains an open question, but one thing’s clear: the margin for error on New York’s roads is about to get a whole lot smaller.
Sources: NY Times, News10
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