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October 30, 2024

Angelica’s Law Protects New Yorkers From Dangerous Drivers

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Angelica’s Law Protects New Yorkers From Dangerous Drivers
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Effective November 1, Law Strengthens Enforcement Against Reckless Motorists

Law Honors Angelica Nappi, a Holbrook teen killed in 2008 by an Unlicensed Motorist with Multiple Prior Suspensions

New York State is announcing the implementation of Angelica’s Law (S.4671/A.3983), which protects New Yorkers against reckless and dangerous driving. The law, which takes effect November 1, will help to keep high-risk drivers off the road by lowering the number of prior license suspensions that can result in felony charges for driving without a valid license. 
 

Governor Kathy Hochul signed the law at the Department of Motor Vehicles’ Garden City location in December alongside the family of Angelica Nappi, who was killed in 2008 at just 14 years old when an unlicensed motorist with seven prior suspensions ran a red light on Long Island. 
 

The motorist faced only a misdemeanor. 
 

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. 
 

“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 Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder, who chairs the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. “More than a decade later, Angelica’s legacy is alive and well, with tangible good emerging from terrible tragedy.”  
 

Angelica’s mother, Dawn Riendeau, said, “Today is a day 16 years in the making. Angelica’s Law brings us one step closer towards creating safer roadways and saving lives. Although there is more work to be done, I am thankful for the progress that was made in memory of my daughter. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for signing this legislation into law.” 
 

Angelica’s Law is part of Governor Hochul’s commitment to making New York’s roads safer by cracking down on dangerous drivers, a priority she mapped out in her 2023 State of the State message. 
 

In response to that address, the Department of Motor Vehicles proposed regulatory changes to bolster the ability to remove dangerous drivers from New York’s roadways and make it more difficult for persistent violators to regain their driving privilege. Among the proposed changes: 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. 

Contact DMV Communications

Walter McClure, Director of Public Information

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (518) 473-7000

For more information about DMV, visit the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles website, or follow the DMV conversation online at FacebookX and Instagram.