Requires any passenger-type motor vehicles to be equipped with an outside passenger mirror

BILL NUMBER:A3410A

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to mirrors on passenger and certain other vehicles

Purpose or general idea of bill

To enhance traffic safety by requiring the installation of certain mirrors on passenger and other vehicles.

Summary of specific provisions

This bill amends paragraph (d) of subdivision 10 of the Section 375 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law to require that every new passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck and bus other than a school bus (as such terms are defined by federal regulation) manufactured for sale in the State of New York have an outside unit magnification mirror or convex mirror installed on the passenger's side in conformance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stand- ards.

Justification

The installation of blind spot or unit magnification mirrors greatly improves a driver's field of vision, thereby reducing the risk of accidents for both the driver and, by extension, passing vehicles or pedestrians. Convex mirrors in particular provide access to multiple sightlines, and enable drivers to overcome potential blind spots as they change lanes or exits from parking spaces or driveways.

Prior legislative history

2007-2008: A.4130 2005-2006 A.3818-A 2003-2004 A.5226 2001-2002 A.3035 1999-2000 A.928 1997-1998 A.2893 1995-1996 A.9376-A

Fiscal implications

None to the State.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law, except that effective immediately, the commissioner of motor vehicles is authorized and directed to promul- gate any rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this act on such effective date.