Angelica’s Law Comes Into Effect Tomorrow – Protects Residents Against Reckless Drivers

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) says Angelica’s Law (S.4671/A.3983) will come into effect beginning tomorrow, November 1st. The law is designed to protect New Yorkers against reckless and dangerous driving. The law will help in keeping high-risk drivers off of the road by lowering the number of prior license suspensions. The lower threshold can then result in felony charges for driving without a license.

Angelica’s Law is named after Angelica Nappi, who was killed back in 2008 when she was only 14 years old. An unlicensed driver who had seven prior suspensions ran a red light on Long Island. The law was signed by Governor Hochul back in December with members of Angelica’s family. The DMV says that the driver only faced a Misdemeanor.

“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.”

The law now decreases the number of prior license suspensions needed to qualify for the felony charge of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the 1st from 10 suspensions to now 5.

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.”