SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR) — The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is tightening its point system. New regulations and tougher penalties are set to go into effect this month.
One bad decision on the road could now add up faster than ever before for drivers.
“There are a lot less zero point infractions now than there used to be,” said Aaron Pam, senior associate at Tully Rinckey PLLC.
Under the state’s current driver violation point system, drivers can face a license suspension after getting 11 points within an 18-month period. But starting this month, that threshold will drop to 10 points over two years, and drivers who hit that mark could have their license suspended.
Several common violations are also getting tougher penalties:
- Speeding 10 miles per hour over the limit will now carry 4 points instead of 3.
- Reckless driving or illegally passing a stopped school bus will jump to 8 points.
- Failing to exercise due care to avoid colliding with a bicyclist or pedestrian could get 5 points. Other examples of failing to yield the right of way would be 3 points.
Using a cell phone is currently 5 points and will remain at 5 points under the new changes.
“It really will not change the lives of ordinary drivers who get no tickets or only get an occasional ticket, one per year for example. But really, this is targeted at the repeated offenders,” said Pam.
Under the new regulations, Pam says it’s now about 50 percent easier for drivers to lose their license.
“There’s a longer period of time that the points now stay on your license, so the math lasts not 18 months, the math is now done over 24 months,” said Pam.
Pam says the biggest mistake drivers make, and one that often costs them their license, is not getting legal advice.
“The implications of just going to traffic court and sort of winging it and pleading guilty to something and paying a fine and leaving will have more serious consequences than it used to,” said Pam.
