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Teen Driving Laws in New York State

admin — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:07:27 +0000

Requirements By Age (as listed on http://www.dmv.org/ny-new-york/teen-drivers.php#Requirements_By_Age)

Graduated drivers license systems in the United States are designed to give young drivers the opportunity to practice driving with various restrictions in place. With traffic accidents being the leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States, graduated licensing programs have been designed to reduce teen accidents and fatalities. Graduated licensing laws vary and not all states have an official program. Recognizing the importance of driving experience, New York-like many other states-has adopted a graduated driver’s licensing program for drivers under the age of 18.

In general, an individual must have a New York State driver license or a valid driver license from another US state or from Canada to drive in New York. Additionally, in most cases you can drive in New York if you have a valid driver license from another country. The minimum driving age in NYS is 16.
The State of New York has what is called a “graduated license law”, as mentioned above. It was enacted in September of 2003 and it affects all junior drivers (16 and 17 years old) and senior permit holders in New York State.

What is a “Limited Junior License?
According to this article , a Limited Junior License is an “intermediate step between a learner permit and a “full” Junior license, allowing young drivers (16 and 17-year olds) time to gain driving experience before obtaining unsupervised driving privileges”.

What Can’t You do with a Limited Junior License
For all permit holders, regardless of your age or when your received your learners permit: Your supervising driver must be at least 21 years old.

For all junior learner permit and junior license holders, regardless of when you received your learner permit: No more than two passengers under the age of 21 are allowed in the vehicle unless they are members of your immediate family; this does not apply if the accompanying driver is your licensed parent, guardian, person “in loco parentis,” driver education teacher or driving school instructor.

Are there any restrictions on Limited Junior Licenses?
Limited Junior Licenses are subject to the restrictions listed below. These restrictions based on what specific area in New York you are from.

In Nassau County, Suffolk County (including Long Island), Westchester County, Putnam County, & Rockland County, the restrictions are:

Between 5AM and 9PM: Driver is not allowed to drive alone. They are required to be supervised by a parent/guardian who is 21 or older and has a valid license for the specific vehicle that he/she is driving.

Between 9PM and 5AM: Driver is not allowed to drive under ANY circumstance.

How should a parent keep track of teen drivers?
If you have a child under 18 years old that is driving, you have the option of being automatically notified by mail whenever the teenager has a traffic conviction, license suspension, or reported accident.

To enroll in this program, fill out this form and mail it to:
Office for the Younger Driver
NYS Department of Motor Vehicles
6 Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12228

For more information about this specific program (known as TEENS – Teen Electronic Event Notification Service), please read this document, published on the New York State DMV site.

Hurricane-Proof your Home

admin — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:32:01 +0000

As we edge closer to another hurricane season in the New York/Long Island area, preparing your house for disaster should be a priority.

Whether your home is old or new, it may not be able to withstand hurricane force winds. To protect your home, the American Red Cross recommends that you focus in on three particular areas of your home: the roof, the windows and the doors (including a garage door if you have one).

Hurricane Roof Damage

Window Protection:

Unprotected windows are very vulnerable to wind damage and damage from wind blown debris therefore it is critical that you protect them. The easiest and most effective way to protect them is with storm shutters. Steel is the best and the most expensive. Aluminum and plywood shutters are also available.

These are readily obtainable from many building supply stores, including Home Depot and Lowes. If you live in a hurricane or storm-prone area, you may want to also think about installing impact resistant windows according to the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes. These windows are designed to withstand flying debris. Also be aware that taping your windows will not protect them and is not effective.

Storm-Proof the Roof:

Another vulnerable area of your home is the roof. During a hurricane, the wind can actually get underneath the roof shingle and peel it off the roof. The Federal Alliance for Safe Home recommends you go to your local building supply store and get premium flooring adhesive. Apply with a caulking gun to the underside of your roofwhere the roof and the support beams meet. Be sure to look for an adhesive that has been tested and has a strong rating.

Hurricane Damage to Garage Door

Even the best methods of roof and window protection is not enough if you don’t also protect your doors (including your garage door). The garage door is potentially the largest and weakest opening of your home to a hurricane. According to the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes about 80% of residential hurricane wind damage starts with wind entry through garage doors, making this a critical area to reinforce. However, many garage doors are made of lightweight materials that make it vulnerable to hurricane damage. A qualified inspector can determine if both the door and the track system can resist high winds and, if necessary, help replace them with a stronger system.

Pay special attention to any sliding glass doors that you may have, as they are more vulnerable to wind damage than most other doors. When building a home or replacing a door, you should consider impact resistant door systems. As a temporary measure, you can cover the entire patio door with plywood.

Finally, periodically review your home insurance policy with your agent and make sure you are properly covered BEFORE disaster strikes.

Seven Things you should know about Flood Insurance:

admin — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:05:31 +0000

1. Floods are the #1 natural disaster in the United States.

2. Most home insurance policies don’t cover flood damage.

3. Hurricanes, winter storms and snowmelt are common (but often overlooked) causes of flooding.

4. If you live in a low-to-moderate risk area and are eligible for the Preferred Risk Policy, your flood insurance premium may be as low as $119 a year, including coverage for your property’s contents.

5. Last year, one-third of all claims paid by the National Flood Insurance Program were for policies in low-risk communities. (Source: www.floodsmart.gov)

6. Your home has a 26% chance of being damaged by a flood during the course of a 30-year mortgage, compared to a 9% chance of fire. (floodsmart.gov)

7. Everyone lives in some type of flood zone. These are geographic areas that FEMA defines, based on studies of flood risk. The zone boundaries are shown on flood hazard maps, also called Flood Insurance Rate Maps.