SYRACUSE, N.Y. (CNY Central) — Drivers who strike the Onondaga Lake Parkway or Park Street railroad bridges in Central New York will soon face a bigger penalty from the state.
New York State DOT data obtained by the I-Team show 45 strikes involving the CSX railroad bridge along the Onondaga Lake Parkway since 2021.
On top of tickets issued for ignoring signs that warn of a low bridge ahead, it’ll be eight points on their license, too.
That’s part of the new regulations coming from the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles to crack down on dangerous driving.
A spokesperson for the DMV told the I-Team that enforcement of that penalty, plus a slew of others, will start early next year.
It includes higher point values for cell phone use, speeding, and passing a stopped school bus while behind the wheel.
“The NYS DMV is really working to curb dangerous driving and they’re doing so with this increased point system,” explained Valerie Puma of AAA of Western and Central New York.
Enforcement will line up with the rollout of the DMV’s technology system upgrade.
One part of the plan is already being enforced as of this past January. Four drug or alcohol impaired driving convictions means the DMV can take your license away for good.
Lawyer Aaron Pam of Tully Rinckey PLLC said, “That’s going to lead to more suspensions, and, as we know, when people drive with a suspended license, that leads to arrests.”
Pam said when it comes to other infractions with point values, there could be room to negotiate or at least reduce the number of points. But he added the DMV can overrule when it comes to the drunk or drugged driving permanent license suspension.
There are ways to reduce the number of points you’ve racked up on your license.
