A new driver category is in this state, and you do not want to be on the list. In an effort to crack down on illegal and dangerous driving habits, state authorities are approving and passing legislation that enforces harsher penalties and restrictions. When drivers fail to take on a personal sense of responsibility for the safety of their fellow road users, it forces authorities to create legislation that punishes drivers and further restricts what can be done on the road.
Harsher driving legislation is hitting several states
In an effort to reduce the number of road traffic accidents and to identify high-risk drivers earlier, major legislative updates have been passed. In New York, authorities have chosen to tighten the state’s point system. The new system went into effect at the start of this year, with the biggest change being the introduction of a new threshold for license suspension. Previously, your license could be suspended if you accumulated 11 points within 18 months. Now, that has changed to 10 points within 24 months.
Certain driving behaviors that did not previously carry points now do, such as the following:
- Illegal U-turns: two points.
- Vehicle equipment violations: one point per violation.
- Failure to move over for emergency vehicles: three points.
- Obstruction of traffic: two points.
Further, behaviors have now been categorized according to the number of points associated with the behavior, with the highest level referring to the most dangerous behaviors. The new tiers drivers should be aware of are:
- Safety-Critical: Highest point values (5-8 points).
- Moving Violations: Medium point values (2-4 points).
- Administrative/Equipment: Lowest point values (1-2 points).
The most sweeping changes, however, are increases in the number of points for a number of driving behaviors. Speeding just 1mph over the speed limit will now land you with a minimum of four points, up from the previous three, while reckless driving has a significant increase in points, from five to eight points. These updated points are intended to make drivers think twice about breaking road laws, no matter how minor they may seem.
New driver category in this state
Joining the likes of New York authorities who want to identify high-risk drivers faster, Florida House Bill 351 introduced new legislation in July of last year, whereby drivers convicted of extreme speeding now face criminal charges on top of a hefty fine.
The bill introduces a new driver category of “super speeder” drivers who are caught driving over 100mph over the speed limit. Previously, drivers only faced fines for speeding, even if they were going at dangerous top speeds. Now, drivers may face criminal charges.
A first offense for driving at these speeds will now be classified as a second-degree misdemeanor with possible penalties of up to 30 days in jail and fines of up to $500, and a required court appearance. A second violation within five years can result in up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, and a license suspension of at least six months, with the option to extend that suspension to one year.
Cracking down on speeding drivers
Speeding remains one of the biggest concerns for road traffic authorities, claiming thousands of lives every year. To assist in preventing speeding, more state authorities are passing legislation permitting the use of automated camera technology to monitor the roads.
California is one of the latest to do so, recently approving legislation to implement 75 new automated speed cameras in highway construction zones statewide. Should drivers be caught speeding in these zones, they can face fines as high as $500. The cameras and fines are intended to protect highway construction workers from being hit by a vehicle, forcing drivers to slow down in these high-risk zones. California is one of 31 states with approved legislation for automated camera use.
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