ALBANY - Drivers have more chances than ever to score points with the state of New York - and not in a good way.
On Nov. 6, the State Department of Motor Vehicles implemented regulatory changes to its Driver Violation Point System, which assesses points on motorists who commit violations. Drivers with 11 or more points within 18 months have previously risked a license suspension.
Now, an additional six months will be added to that time frame, making it up to 24 months, in an effort to "keep more habitual offenders from driving," according to the DMV.
That is bad news for drivers who pile up speeding tickets and some other moving violations.
"Under the old system, they faced 3 points for speeding one to 10 mph above the speed limit; four points for driving 11 to 20 mph over the speed limit; six points for driving 21 to 30 mph over it; eight points for driving 31 to 40 mph over it; and 11 points for driving more than 40 mph over it."
Under the new rules, speeding over 40 mph remains at 11 points. It will be eight points "for any violation involving driving through a highway construction or maintenance work area at a speed in excess of the posted work area speed limit," according to the DMV, which reported the changes to the State Register in July.
Under the new regulations, violations involving alcohol or drug-related convictions, driving without a license, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident or striking a bridge will incur points.
- Reckless Driving: Five Points
- Failing to Stop for School Bus: Five Points
- Improper Cellphone Use/Texting While Driving: Five Points
- Railroad Crossing Violations: Five Points
- A Range of Other Moving Violations (e.g., failing yield right-of-way):: Three Points: Three Points : Three Points : Three Points : Three Points : Two Pointseach) . . . . . . : Two Pointseach) : : : : : Two Pointseach) : Two Pointseach) : Two Pointseach) : Two Pointseach) : Zero point infractions remain unchanged. Parking violations and those related bicyclists pedestrians vehicle inspection also zero offenses. The DMV is making tougher relicense drivers multiple convictions agency look back four years date driver applied relicensing. Audit finds Thruway Authority struggling collect hundreds millions dollars tolls New York State Thruway Authority had trouble collecting since went cashless wants raise penalties dangerous drivers her annual State address. "As advocate traffic safety AAA believes that all road users deserve safe streets highways," said Elizabeth Carey director public relations corporate communications American Automobile Association Western Central York. "AAA reminds follow rules road avoid tragedies save lives." Robert Gavin Albany Bureau Chief Author email Follow Robert Gavin Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once day if there matching items Save Manage followed notifications Close Please log use this feature Log Have account? Sign Up Today!