New Traffic Laws May Increase Unlicensed Drivers on Long Island
Drivers on Long Island, known for navigating some of the most hazardous roads in the country, are expressing concerns about upcoming traffic regulations in Albany. They believe these new laws could lead to an increase in unlicensed drivers.
Starting February 26, New York’s new “demerit points” system will reduce the point threshold from 11 points over 18 months to 10 points over two years. This system will also implement heightened penalties for common violations such as speeding, reckless driving, using a cell phone, and passing a school bus.
Prominent traffic attorney Adam Rosenblum indicated that about 50,000 speeding tickets were issued across Nassau and Suffolk counties in 2024. He noted that he firmly believes this could result in numerous license suspensions, as per data from the state’s DMV.
Rosenblum also cautioned that the crackdown might do more harm than good, potentially pushing more drivers to operate illegally and imposing added financial burdens on Long Islanders who rely heavily on their vehicles.
This assessment has sparked anxiety among local drivers regarding their safety. Many are worried about the points they’ve already accumulated. With another ticket in the next two years, they risk having their licenses suspended, which is unsettling.
“We have many individuals already driving with suspended or unlicensed licenses. The situation is only going to worsen. People need to drive; our public transportation here is really lacking,” said motorist Larissa Bars.
This situation is particularly dire given that last year, a serious accident occurred every seven minutes on Long Island’s roads, claiming around 210 lives and resulting in approximately 1,600 serious injuries annually.
Some lawyers have criticized the state’s new regulations, labeling them a “cash grab.” They point to the new “driver responsibility assessment,” which adds financial penalties for accumulating points on one’s license, stacking additional costs on top of fines and court fees.
The revised rules stipulate that a driver will incur a charge of $300 for accumulating six points, plus an additional $75 for each point thereafter. There’s actually no upper limit, meaning that more points equal more payments to the state, aside from the ticket costs.
The two-year lookback period will apply to tickets issued before the new system is in place, putting additional drivers at risk of suspension even if they thought they were in the clear. Those already with multiple points for speeding have expressed fears that even a minor mistake could lead to losing their licenses and facing financial hardship.
“It feels like they’re just trying to make life harder for people,” said one anonymous driver.
“Uber is very expensive, public transport options are few, and I still have bills to pay. If my license gets suspended, I will have no choice but to continue driving to support my family,” he mentioned, hinting at a potential willingness to drive illegally.
