A NEW law that will see huge new fines and even possible prison time for repeat offenders is set to come into effect.
Known as ‘Angelica’s Law‘, it will affect drivers in New York from November 2024 – having been discussed since 2015.
A new law will see huge new fines and even possible prison time for repeat offenders in New York[/caption]
Known as ‘Angelica’s Law’, it will come into effect from November 2024[/caption]
Having originally been sponsored by Senator Kevin Thomas, the legislation was signed back in December 2023 by Governor Kathy Hochul – but is only now about to be brought into action.
Angelica’s Law, named after Angelica Nappi, decreases the number of prior license suspensions needed to qualify for first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
That means the offense will now be punishable of up to two years imprisonment – with a possible fine between $500 and $5,000.
Nappi, a 14-year-old from Holbrook, New York, was struck and killed in 2008 by a driver who did not have a valid license and who had more than five previous driver’s license suspensions, according to officials.
The law will aim to keep drivers with prior suspensions off the road by applying a felony to repeat offenders.
Senator Thomas said that, at a time when there is “an alarming rise in fatal crashes” that is “endangering people of all ages,” he is thankful to Hochul for signing Angelica’s Law for Nappi “who had her life cruelly taken.”
This comes as new cars sold in New York within the next five years could come with intelligent speed assistance tech.
A key member of the New York State Assembly has introduced the legislation in an attempt to reduce traffic accidents.
The new bill states the speed assistance system will alert drivers using an audio and visual signal when they drive more than 10mph over the speed limit.
However, emergency vehicles will be exempt.
The system, which is already present in cars sold in Europe, has already been approved by California lawmakers – and will be installed in new cars there by 2030.
Elsewhere, drivers could also find themselves being slapped with up to $1,500 in fines due to a new red light camera program that is set to catch repeat offenders.
New cameras on traffic lights will be put in place to ensure drivers don’t run red lights in New York – and people who drive past a stopped school bus will face harsher penalties than before.
Drivers can be hit by up to two years imprisonment – with a possible fine between $500 and $5,000[/caption]
