Bill > S00979

This bill establishes a new offense called aggravated reckless driving in New York state, which occurs when a person commits reckless driving and meets one of five specific conditions: (1) has a previous reckless driving conviction within 18 months, (2) operates a vehicle while knowing their license is suspended or revoked, (3) causes physical injury to another person while driving, (4) commits three separate traffic violations on a public highway, or (5) operates an unregistered or uninsured vehicle. The offense is classified as a class E felony, with an exception for rental vehicles. Additionally, the bill expands existing vehicle seizure and forfeiture laws to include reckless driving and aggravated reckless driving, allowing law enforcement to seize vehicles used in these offenses. Owners of seized vehicles can contest the seizure through legal intervention, and if the vehicle has a security interest holder, that party must prove they did not knowingly benefit from or consent to the illegal use of the vehicle. The bill aims to create stricter penalties for repeated or particularly dangerous reckless driving behaviors and provide a mechanism for removing such vehicles from the road.

Housing and Urban Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S979