New DMV rule aims to crack down on repeat drunk, impaired drivers
The new ‘Forfeit After Four’ policy revokes driving privileges for drivers who have four drug- or alcohol- related convictions or incidents. The previous rule revoked privileges after five convictions or incidents.
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A new rule from the Department of Motor Vehicles looks to make New York roads safer by cracking down on repeat DWI offenders.
The new ‘Forfeit After Four’ policy revokes driving privileges for drivers who have four drug- or alcohol- related convictions or incidents. The previous rule revoked privileges after five convictions or incidents.
Greg Ajemian, of Garden City, welcomes the change.
"Drunk drivers should be kept off the street,” he said. "If someone demonstrates a pattern of behavior putting other people's lives at risk, I think it should be ameliorated sooner rather than later."
DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said in a statement in part, “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.”
Some Long Islanders, like Leticia Houston of Valley Stream, say four chances is four too many.
"A young lady just lost their life not too far from me,” she said. “I think it should be one."
Marge Lee is the president of the group Dedicatedd. A drunk driver hit her and her three children years ago. The crash killed her son Kenny and left her with a brain injury.
She feels the law is reactive and not proactive.
"Now you get four chances to kill instead of five,” she said. "If I go out drinking every Friday night and I get drunk every Friday night and you catch me five times, so what? And more importantly, what if you don't catch me and I kill somebody."
The changes also allow for permanent license denial after three alcohol- or drug-related driving convictions or incidents plus one or more other serious driving offenses.
The DMV can also deny a license reissue for two years if the driver has three drug- or alcohol-related driving convictions.
