{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Radio Chatskill","title":"New York Drivers Face Steeper Penalties Under Sweeping DMV Point Reform","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/658c5f9f\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":508,"description":"A sweeping change to New York’s driver penalty system is now in effect — and a single offense could cost some motorists their license.Under new rules from the <a href=\"https://dmv.ny.gov/points-and-penalties/the-new-york-state-driver-point-system\" target=\"_blank\">New York State Department of Motor Vehicles</a>, alcohol- or drug-related driving offenses and aggravated unlicensed operation now carry 11 points — enough to trigger an automatic suspension. Previously, those violations carried zero points.Other violations, including passing a stopped school bus or speeding in a construction zone, now carry eight points. A cell phone violation remains at five.The union representing state troopers says it supports holding reckless drivers accountable. But it’s also warning that many motorists may not understand how dramatically the system has changed.“Drivers need to be aware that the point system is coming into effect,” said Charles W. Murphy, president of the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association. “First and foremost, member safety is a big thing and our people are public servants. So, they don’t just hand the ticket out and walk away.”Murphy says troopers often stay roadside to answer questions — and that can put them at risk.“When people have questions on this ticket, they stay and explain it and try to let them know what it is,” he said. “By doing that, they’re in harm’s way longer. And as you know, our troopers get struck unfortunately at a very high rate. It’s one of the things that actually causes most deaths in law enforcement.”<strong>A Single Offense, Immediate Suspension</strong>Previously, alcohol- and drug-related driving offenses carried zero points under the DMV system. Now they jump to 11.Murphy says the hope is that tougher penalties will deter dangerous behavior before a citation is ever issued.“We’re hopeful… through the education that we’re going to start seeing people really start to look for those other options — your Ubers, your...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/q7XXsnSXT_u4mZLCn3chUorwDmUD_kWiB272D6emB18/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80N2Uy/OGY5MWUwZThkYTEw/NDVkZGM2ZGZkZDIw/ZjliOS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}