New York State - New "Zero Tolerance" Driving Regulations

debodun

debodun

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Location
way upstate in New York, USA
New York State has implemented a stricter "zero tolerance" approach to traffic safety as of February 16, 2026, where
even 1–2 mph over the limit can lead to tickets and increased point penalties. Speeding 1–10 mph over now carries 4 points (formerly 3), making it 50% easier to lose a license, with suspension occurring at 10 points in 24 months.

Key 2026 New York Speeding and Safety Changes

  • Stricter Points: Speeding 1–10 mph over now equals 4 points.
  • Work Zones/School Buses: Speeding in a construction zone (even 1–2 mph over) or passing a stopped school bus now carries 8 points.
  • Suspension Threshold: License suspension occurs at 10 points within 24 months, reduced from 11 points in 18 months.
  • Violations: Cell phone use carries 6 points, and failure to yield to a pedestrian is 5 points.
  • New Ticketable Points: Equipment violations (e.g., broken lights) are now 1 point, and illegal U-turns are 2 points.
These regulations, which are part of a broader, stricter traffic safety initiative, mean that minor speeding violations now have the same, higher-point consequences as moderate speeding. The changes aim to reduce fatalities by cracking down on both speeding and distracted driving.
 
debodun said:
New York State has implemented a stricter "zero tolerance" approach to traffic safety as of February 16, 2026, where
even 1–2 mph over the limit can lead to tickets and increased point penalties. Speeding 1–10 mph over now carries 4 points (formerly 3), making it 50% easier to lose a license, with suspension occurring at 10 points in 24 months.

Key 2026 New York Speeding and Safety Changes

  • Stricter Points: Speeding 1–10 mph over now equals 4 points.
  • Work Zones/School Buses: Speeding in a construction zone (even 1–2 mph over) or passing a stopped school bus now carries 8 points.
  • Suspension Threshold: License suspension occurs at 10 points within 24 months, reduced from 11 points in 18 months.
  • Violations: Cell phone use carries 6 points, and failure to yield to a pedestrian is 5 points.
  • New Ticketable Points: Equipment violations (e.g., broken lights) are now 1 point, and illegal U-turns are 2 points.
These regulations, which are part of a broader, stricter traffic safety initiative, mean that minor speeding violations now have the same, higher-point consequences as moderate speeding. The changes aim to reduce fatalities by cracking down on both speeding and distracted driving.
Click to expand...
Having known many police officers in my life and a couple of judges, I'd guess nearly all ticky-tack infractions won't be cited by police officers. If they are, and the violator goes to court to plead leniency, many judges will likely roll their eyes and waive the points for a ticket where someone is clocked going 2 mph over the limit.

It's always been true that tickets could be issued for going a single mile over the limit, but it's rarely enforced. The issuing cops would look like a complete a-hole, the tales would spread like wildfire (especially now with local social media outlets like Nextdoor), and the end result would be a dramatic erosion in police-community relations—something police departments work mightily to build.

Many laws aren't enforced to the letter. Albany may pass a law, but cops on ground choose whether to enforce it. Or not.
 
In my area they have upped enforcement of speed limits in school zones recently.

They are now using traffic cameras in all school zones and automatically generate a ticket to violators.

Heightened awareness and increased enforcement is good but like so many laws the impact seems to hit the basically law abiding taxpaying citizens the hardest without much of any impact on the scofflaws intent on breaking the rules.
 
Aunt Bea said:
In my area they have upped enforcement of speed limits in school zones recently.

They are now using traffic cameras in all school zones and automatically generate a ticket to violators.

Heightened awareness and increased enforcement is good but like so many laws the impact seems to hit the basically law abiding taxpaying citizens the hardest without much of any impact on the scofflaws intent on breaking the rules.
Click to expand...
California speed camera enforcement requires that the violation be at least 11 mph over the posted speed limit before a violation is triggered. Further, the first 11-15 mph over-limit photo enforcement must be a warning rather than a ticket.
 
Such rigid enforcement after decades of using posted speed limits well below average vehicle speeds, should not be abruptly implemented that will only result in outrage as @StarSong related. There are many traffic situations where being able to speed up momentarily as when passing is safest. There are also many situations where speed limits are artificially low because those creating such laws, expect many will be going somewhat faster. Thus, if they are going to change those speed laws, they ought to FIRST re-evaluate speeds on roads first and change them upward including signing that will be expensive.

Laws and policies unless very detailed with exceptions, that can be problematic itself by adding confusing levels of complexity drivers ought not be continually having to be looking for instead of paying attention to safe driving, for the sake of society, should not be created rigidly and rather allow consideration of common sense. A wiser strategy is per below link that really gets to the problem of wreckless and excessive speed driving and will definitely change behaviors, that only a minority deserve penalties for.
That SUV next to you might be CHP: California rolls out stealth patrol fleet

MSN
 
I think the public would be better served by "staking out" night clubs and bars during the evening. Many of you who are so concerned regarding 1 or 2 miles over the speed limit would be "off the road" if you were required to take a breathalyzer test with a correspondingly low standard such as the 1 - 2 mph speed violation.
One drink - -maybe two and you're off the road with a hefty fine.
 
DaveA said:
I think the public would be better served by "staking out" night clubs and bars during the evening. Many of you who are so concerned regarding 1 or 2 miles over the speed limit would be "off the road" if you were required to take a breathalyzer test with a correspondingly low standard such as the 1 - 2 mph speed violation.
One drink - -maybe two and you're off the road with a hefty fine.
Click to expand...
Amen.
 
DaveA said:
I think the public would be better served by "staking out" night clubs and bars during the evening. Many of you who are so concerned regarding 1 or 2 miles over the speed limit would be "off the road" if you were required to take a breathalyzer test with a correspondingly low standard such as the 1 - 2 mph speed violation.
One drink - -maybe two and you're off the road with a hefty fine.
Click to expand...
That sounds like a good idea, too.
 
debodun said:
New York State has implemented a stricter "zero tolerance" approach to traffic safety as of February 16, 2026, where
even 1–2 mph over the limit can lead to tickets and increased point penalties.
Click to expand...
For a program that was supposed to crack down on "dangerous driving", ticketing 1-2 mph over the speed limit sounds ridiculous. Also opens it up for letting cops stop anybody, because I think they also stop people who go less than the speed limit.
 
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