Schuyler County Attorney reminds local drivers of updated NYS point values for driving violations

Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman today issued a reminder to New York motorists about recent updates to the state's Department of Motor Vehicles point and penalty system, which aim to enhance road safety by imposing stricter consequences for traffic violations.The changes took effect Feb. 16, 2026, and include increased point values for several serious offenses, as well as assigning points to violations that previously carried none.

The look-back period for points on a driver's record has been extended from 18 months to 24 months, allowing the DMV to identify and penalize persistent violators more effectively.

"These modifications mean that even minor or repeated infractions can add up quickly, potentially leading to license suspension, higher insurance rates or additional fees," Getman said. "Drivers in Schuyler County and across New York should familiarize themselves with the new rules to avoid unintended consequences on the road."Under the updated system, alcohol- or drug-related convictions, incidents and aggravated unlicensed operation now carry 11 points, a significant jump from zero.

Other key adjustments include 8 points for overtaking or passing a stopped school bus (up from 5), speeding in a construction zone (previously variable based on speed) and over-height vehicle or bridge strikes (previously zero).

Points have also risen to 5 for leaving the scene of a personal injury crash (from 3), failure to exercise due care (from 2), facilitating aggravated unlicensed operation (from zero) and participating in speed contests or races (from zero).

A driver's license may be suspended upon accumulating 11 points within the 24-month period, the same threshold as before but now over a longer timeframe that could capture more violations. Accumulating 6 or more points in 18 months still triggers a Driver Responsibility Assessment fee, starting at $100 per year for the first 6 points plus $25 per additional point, payable over three years.

Getman noted that some common violations, such as using a cell phone while driving, continue to carry 5 points, while others like reckless driving may now result in 8 points under the stricter guidelines.

New point assignments apply to issues like equipment problems (1 point), illegal U-turns (2 points), obstructing traffic (2 points) and failure to move over for emergency vehicles (3 points).

"Safer driving benefits everyone, but these changes underscore the importance of compliance," Getman added. "Motorists facing points or penalties should consult legal counsel to understand their options, including point reduction programs."For more information, drivers can visit the New York DMV website or contact a qualified attorney.

NYS Police Chiefs want ride-sharing services in upstate to help reduce drunk driving

New York Daily News:

The head of the state Association of Chiefs of Police is calling on Gov. Cuomo to expand ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft to upstate to curb drunk driving.

In a letter to Cuomo, Cheektowaga Police Chief David Zack wrote that upstate accounts for 51% of all licensed drivers in New York, but 65% of alcohol- and drug-impaired arrests and 59% of all fatal and personal injury crashes.

The percentages are significantly lower in New York City, which offers an array of ridesharing and mass transit options that upstate does not, Zack wrote.

Schuyler County forum to address underage drinking

The Schuyler County Coalition on Underage Drinking and Drugs (SCCUDD) will host a community forum in light of Alcohol Awareness Month at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday (April 19) in the Watkins Glen Elementary School auditorium.

Attendees will hear from county teens and learn about underage drinking consequences, prevention and the legal consequences of providing youth with alcohol. Attendees will also be able to try on impairment awareness goggles to see how alcohol can impair their ability to do simple tasks at the beginning of the forum.

For more information, click here.

New York passes stricter DWI penalties

New legislation to reduce drunk driving among repeat violators through the use of ignition interlock devices (IID), has been signed into New York law.

The new law allows judges the discretion of extending the use of a mandatory interlock device when an individual has a high probability of repeatedly driving under the influence. Previously, the device could only be ordered for certain convictions of New York’s DWI laws.

An IID is an apparatus that is similar to a breathalyzer and is often attached to the ignition system of a motor vehicle as a condition of probation stemming from traffic-related infractions. The vehicle can only be started if the driver blows into the ignition interlock and his or her blood alcohol content (BAC) is below the legal limit of .08 BAC.

The measure was introduced by Republican New York State Senator Michael Nozzolio, and passed unanimously in both the Senate and Assembly.

For more information on the new law, click here.

Results of "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" Labor Day Crackdown

New York State Police arrested 769 individuals for driving while intoxicated during the 20-day Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over crackdown on impaired driving.

During this crackdown, State Police and local law enforcement agencies targeted not only drunk or impaired motorists, but also drivers who were distracted, speeding, not wearing seatbelts, and not abiding by the “move over” law.

State Police report that of the 769 DWI arrests between the August 21 to September 7 enforcement period, more than 219 occurred during Labor Day weekend alone. During the same period last year, 663 people were arrested for DWI.

During the campaign, Troopers also issued 47,359 tickets, up from more than 46,500 in 2014: 18,660 for speeding, 1,613 for distracted driving, 2,522 for child restraint and seatbelt violations, and 556 for failing to “move over.” Additionally, state police investigated 2,973 crashes during the 20-day period, compared to 2,940 last year. Of these crashes, 857 people were injured, and 25 people were killed.

For more on this program, click here.

'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign starts

In an attempt to reduce deaths and injuries due to drunk driving, New York State officials have announced an end-of-summer crackdown on impaired driving.

The initiative, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” is a joint effort of the New York State Police and local law enforcement.

The campaign starts today and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 7

Legal links of interest for the week ending November 22

Steven Getman, attorney, reports on some news stories about lawyers and the law in the past week:

Attorney general cracks down on fake online reviews: The agency announced that it had reached a $350,000 settlement with 19 companies for posting bogus online reviews to consumer review sites like Yelp, Citysearch and Google Local.

Democrats vote to curb filibusters on nominees: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called the move a “raw power play” – and said the whole issue was meant to “distract people from ObamaCare.”

Judges must warn about deportation, New York Appeals Court rules: In a 5-to-2 decision, the Court of Appeals overturned its 1995 ruling that deportation is a “collateral consequence” of a guilty plea, and so judges need not warn foreign defendants it might happen.

Justice Alito rips NY federal judge for requiring race- and sex-based law firm staffing: The issue was the practice of U.S. District Judge Harold Baer requiring that class action counsel ensure that attorney staffing of the case reflect the racial and gender of the class.

NY court rejects 'too intoxicated' murder defense: New York’s Court of Appeals upheld the murder convictions Thursday of three drivers who caused deadly crashes, rejecting arguments they were too intoxicated to know the threat they posed.

NY debt collector settles claims of bad business: Authorities said he tried to collect on payday loans, which are illegal in New York state. Those short-term loans are typically advances on a paycheck with exorbitant interest rates.

NY registry to have multiple pictures of sex offenders: The state’s Sex Offender Registry will now display multiple images of convicted sex offenders to help make them more recognizable to the public and law enforcement.

Senate, Assembly to jointly file against Cuomo’s anti-corruption commission: lawyers representing the legislators will argue that the subpoenas are overreaching, violate the constitutional separation-of-powers edict and seek protected client information, sources said.

For more on each of these stories, click on the links above.

Amendments to New York’s DWI Ignition Interlock Law take effect November 1

Ovid, NY--Attorney Steven Getman is reminding New York motorists that the ignition interlock provisions enacted as part of Leandra's Law have been amended and will apply to offenses committed on or after Nov. 1, 2013. Changes include:

• Vehicle and Traffic Law (“VTL”) 511(3)(a)(iv) was amended to create a new category of first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle where a person operates a motor vehicle while holding a conditional license issued pursuant to VTL 1196(7)(a) while under the influence of alcohol or a drug.

• VTL 1193(1)(b), (c)

◦ was amended to apply the ignition interlock requirement to youthful offenders; ◦ extended the minimum ignition interlock period to one year, but allows the court to terminate the period earlier if the person submits proof that an ignition interlock was installed and maintained for at least six months;
◦ now provides that the interlock period starts from the earlier of the date of sentencing or the date a device was installed in advance of sentencing.

• VTL 1198(4)(a)

◦ now provides that good cause for failure to install an ignition interlock device may include a finding that the defendant does not own a motor vehicle if the defendant states under oath that he/she does not own a motor vehicle and that he/she will not operate a motor vehicle during the ignition interlock period;
◦ was amended to state that the term "owner" has the same meaning as in VTL 128 (title holder).

Leandra's Law, enacted in 2009, established a new Class E felony related to driving while intoxicated with a child as a passenger; and, for the first time, required that all individuals convicted of misdemeanor and felony DWI offenses install and maintain ignition interlock devices.

Driving while intoxicated in New York carries serious penalties, both civil and criminal. Not only can a defendant lose his or her license to drive, once they can drive again, the interlock law may apply. In addition, anyone convicted of DWI will be subject to New York State fines, surcharges, insurance penalties and, in some cases, imprisonment in a New York State correctional facility.

For more information, click here.

Legal Links of interest for the week ending July 27

Some news stories about lawyers and the law in the past week:

Cuomo signs bill to bolster Leandra's Law: Also on Friday, penalties for distracted driving — including driving while texting — officially increased.

Knockout' homicide trial begins in family court which operates by a different set of rules: The proceedings move at a quicker pace than adult matters in criminal court. The courtroom is also cozier, and only one case is called at a time, creating a sense of privacy not felt in adult criminal court.

Judge Invokes Obama in Blocking Detroit Bankruptcy Filing: Ingham County (Michigan) Circuit Judge Rosemary Aquilina has ruled that Detroit’s bankruptcy filing violates the state constitution’s prohibition on actions which would “diminish” pension benefits.

Jesse Ventura lawsuit vs. murdered Navy SEAL can move forward, judge says: The defense attorney had argued Ventura would be better off dropping the case, saying that going forward would give the perception that Ventura had little regard for loved ones of deceased war heroes.

Bipolar fake lawyer gets up to 3 years for impersonating attorney: The heroin-addict son of a prominent Albany lawyer had walked into a Manhattan courtroom three times at the end of last year impersonating attorney David O’Brien.

DA plans to appeal overturned hate crime homicide conviction: The Onondaga County District Attorney's office plans to ask the state's highest court to reverse an appeals court's decision to throw out the county's first hate crime homicide conviction.

Unchecked alerts from ankle bracelets on offenders have deadly results: Some agencies don't have clear protocols on how to handle the multitude of alerts, or don't always follow them. At times, officials took days to act, if they noticed at all, when criminals tampered with their bracelets or broke a curfew.

For more on each of these stories, click the links above.