Massive Rule Change Announced for Impaired Drivers in New York

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles has announced new regulations for New York drivers who repeatedly drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The new year begins with a massive change for any New York driver who is convicted of repeatedly driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol across the state.

New Rules Announced for Impaired Drivers in New York

Starting on January 3rd any driver in New York who repeatedly drives under the influence of drugs or alcohol will now permanently lose their driving privileges after four drug or alcohol-related convictions or incidents, such as failure to submit to a chemical test according to the DMV website.

Previously, New York drivers would lose their driving privileges after being convicted of five drug or alcohol-related incidents. The "Forfeit after Four" rules come as the NYSDMV has adopted stricter regulations to curb the driving while impaired problems that have become common across the state.

New York Says "Enough is Enough"

Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Mark J.F. Schroeder announced the new rules saying,

"At some point, we have to say, ‘enough is enough.’ When someone is repeatedly convicted of driving under the influence, they need to be permanently removed from our roadways, and a ‘forfeit after four’ policy significantly increases our ability to do just that. This law will appropriately take away the driving privileges of those who unfairly put everyone else on New York’s roads at greater risk."

The rule change will also allow for permanent license denial after three alcohol or drug-related driving convictions or incidents plus one or more other serious driving offenses. Other re-licensure applications can also be denied.

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According to the DMV, "The DMV can now deny an application for re-licensure for two years if the applicant has three alcohol- or drug-related driving convictions and no serious driving offense. Other applicants who meet the same criteria but have a current license revocation for an alcohol- or drug-related conviction will face a five-year denial.”

Drivers With Priors Are More Likely to Offend Again

According to the DMV, drivers with prior drug or alcohol-related offenses are more likely to be repeat offenders with data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showing that drivers involved in fatal crashes who have blood alcohol concentrations above the legal limit have been shown to be four times more likely to have prior convictions for driving while impaired compared to drivers with no alcohol in their systems.