SPEEDING AHEAD Final hours before new 1mph speed limit penalty comes into force on February 1ONLY hours remain before new speed limit rules come into effect in a major US state, clamping down on dangerous driving. This latest set of regulations introduce penalties for exceeding the speed limit by as little as 1mph. The new measures include stricter sanctions, such as higher penalty points for offences and a lower threshold for licence suspensions. Using a cell phone while driving now carries six penalty points, up from five. These are just a few of the changes aimed at keeping New Yorkers safer on the road.