Posted on: February 11, 2020 11:00 AM

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New bill getting close to become law in NYC for repeated red light offenders

NYC Councilman Brad Lander drafted a bill to tow away vehicles with 5 red light and 15 speed camera violations within a year. The only way drivers can get their vehicles back is by taking safe driving course. Here is the original bill, The bill will create a "dangerous vehicle abatement program" that requires owners of vehicles with more than 5 red light camera violations or more than 15 speed camera violations within 12 months to take a safe vehicle operation course offered by the Department of Transportation (DOT). If an owner fails to complete the course, their vehicle may be impounded by the Sheriff. Owners who receive a red light or speed camera violation will be notified that those violations will count toward dangerous vehicle abatement program. After receiving notice that a vehicle is covered under the program, an owner will have the opportunity to contest. Defenses will include that: (1) another person was driving the vehicle and will take the course, (2) the vehicle hasn?t accrued a sufficient number of tickets, (3) the owner was not able to enroll in the course, through no fault of their own, and (4) personal circumstances beyond the control of the owner would cause undue hardship and prevent them from completing the course. The program will run for three years. Each year, DOT will report on the number of drivers of who completed the course and the number of vehicles impounded. At least three months before the end of the program, DOT will issue a report on the effectiveness of the program and how certain driving behaviors correlate with traffic crashes.
Update - NYC Council passed the bill 41-5. Heading to the mayor's office for signature to become law. The mayor is expected to sign it.