New law that targets drivers with multiple license suspensions will take effect in New York November 1

ALBANY, NY- A new law in New York State, which aims to target drivers with multiple license suspensions, will take effect Friday, November 1.

Known as Angelica’s Law, the aim is to keep high-risk drivers off the road by reducing the number of prior license suspensions that can result in felony charges for driving without a valid license.

“As of November 1, New York’s roads are safer because of this law honoring Angelica Nappi, who was just 14 when a known high-risk driver killed her,” said New York’s DMV Commissioner, Mark J.F. Schroeder.

Angelica’s Law decreases from ten to five the number of prior license suspensions needed to qualify for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree, a class E felony.

Angelica was killed in 2008 when an unlicensed motorist with seven prior suspensions ran a red light on Long Island. Angelica was just 14-years-old.

The DMV has also unveiled a list of proposed regulatory changes to make it harder for reckless drivers to re-obtain their driving privilege, including increasing the number of points associated with dangerous driving, decreasing the threshold at which dangerous drivers are disqualified from holding a license, and lowering the bar for permanent license forfeiture for reckless drivers who continue to drive impaired.

NYS DMV image.