NYC Traffic Lawyer Warns of License Suspension Risks Under New DMV Rules New York State’s revised traffic enforcement policies, effective since February 16, 2026, have introduced stricter measures that could significantly impact drivers across the five boroughs. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has lowered the license suspension threshold from 11 points within an 18-month period to 10 points within a 24-month look-back window. Additionally, point values for common violations such as speeding and cell phone use have been increased, raising concerns among motorists about potential penalties. Brooklyn-based traffic ticket lawyer James Medows has issued guidance emphasizing that drivers should avoid paying citations without consulting legal counsel. “Paying a traffic ticket is an admission of guilt,” Medows stated, noting that under the new rules, even minor violations could quickly accumulate to the 10-point threshold that triggers a DMV suspension hearing. He highlighted that the extended look-back period means past violations, previously erased from records, now risk combining with new citations to exceed the suspension limit. Medows, who operates a law firm serving clients in New York City, Long Island, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester, and other parts of the state, explained that the new system complicates matters for drivers. His practice includes handling a wide range of moving violations, such as speeding, reckless driving, cell phone use, red light running, and unsafe lane changes, as well as CDL and trucking cases where a single conviction could jeopardize a commercial license. A critical distinction Medows pointed out is the difference in court procedures depending on where a ticket is issued.#new_york_city #nyc_traffic_violations_bureau #james_medows #department_of_motor_vehicles #long_island
