Massachusetts Drivers Fined for Violating New York's '1MPH' Speeding Law

New York cracks down on speeding, cell phone use, and other driving violations with steeper penalties to promote road safety.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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New York has implemented a series of new driving laws, effective in 2026, that will crack down on speeding and cell phone use with steeper penalties designed to improve road safety throughout the state. The new regulations include a 1 mph speed limit penalty, increased point assessments, and stricter license suspension thresholds.

Why it matters

The new driving laws in New York are part of Governor Kathy Hochul's 'Achieving the New York Dream' agenda, which aims to lift up and support New Yorkers by clearing a path for them to realize the 'New York dream.' The crackdown on speeding and distracted driving is intended to make the state's roads safer for all residents and visitors.

The details

Under the new regulations, any driver going just 1 mph over the speed limit can be pulled over by police, and speeding offenders will see their penalty points rise from three to four. The penalties for other violations have also been increased, including using a cell phone while driving (from 5 to 6 points), failure to yield to a pedestrian (from 3 to 5 points), and reckless driving or passing a stopped school bus (from 5 to 8 points). The threshold for license suspension has also been lowered from 11 points over 18 months to 10 points within 24 months.

  • The new driving laws in New York will go into effect in February 2026.

The players

Kathy Hochul

The Governor of New York who announced the 'Achieving the New York Dream' agenda, which includes the new driving laws.

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What they’re saying

“We will do the hard things – the necessary things to lift up and support New Yorkers and clear a path for them to realize the New York dream.”

— Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York (The U.S. Sun)

What’s next

The new driving laws in New York will go into effect in February 2026, and drivers, including those from neighboring states like Massachusetts, will need to be aware of the stricter penalties for speeding and other violations.

The takeaway

The new driving laws in New York are part of a broader effort to improve road safety and support the state's residents. While the 1 mph speed limit penalty may seem extreme, the increased penalties for speeding, cell phone use, and other violations are designed to encourage safer driving behaviors and reduce the number of accidents and fatalities on New York's roads.