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S1960Senate2009-2010 SessionSame asA3115

Requires drivers to use four-way flashers when traveling at speeds equal to or slower than fifteen miles per hour below the posted maximum speed limit

Sponsor William T. StachowskiSD-58Affects Legal
Status
In Senate Committee
Codes
Impact
Pending
Passage
Pending

Bill progress

Step 2 of 7

In committee · Codes

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Who cares

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Sponsors

Primary sponsor
William T. Stachowski

Senator · Senate District 58

No co-sponsors yet.

History

  1. Reported and committed to codes
  2. Referred to transportation
  3. Referred to transportation

Companion bill

Full text

The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.

Sponsor's memo

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the use of hazard lights when traveling at certain speeds

Purpose or general idea of bill

This legislation would require drivers to use four-way flashers when traveling at speeds of fifteen miles per hour or less than the posted maximum speed limit.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 amends Subdivision (e) of section 1163 of the vehicle and traffic law, as added by chapter 388 of the laws of 1970, by requiring a driver to use simultaneously flashing signals when said driver is operating a vehicle at a speed equal to or less than fifteen miles per hour below the speed limit.

Existing law

There are presently no provisions in the vehicle and traffic law specifically requiring drivers to use their four-way flashers when traveling at a certain speed under a posted speed limit.

Justification

In certain instances the NYS Department of Transportation or NYS Thruway Authority may post signs instructing motorists to use their four-way flashers when traveling at 40 miles per hour or less in an area posted with a 55 miles per hour speed limit. Given that many roadways are now posted at 65 miles per hour, the signs requiring usage of four-way flashers at 40 miles per hour are ineffective. A 25 mile per hour differential before a slow moving vehicle is required to turn on four-way flashers is dangerous and outdated.

The NYS Department of Transportation recognizes the need to warn motorists of slow moving vehicles by erecting these signs instructing drivers to use their four-way flashers. Although not required by law, the agency realizes the notification is good public policy and offers protection to the driving public. Enactment of this bill would extend this policy by requiring the NYS Department of Transportation or NYS Thruway Authority to post signs requiring the use of four-way flashers in the event that a motor vehicle is traveling 15 miles per hour or less than the posted speed limit on a given portion of a roadway.

Legislative history

2003-04: S.1058/A.1994 No action. 2005-06: S.1207 Referred to Transportation 2007-08: S.2809 Referred to Transportation

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Local fiscal implications

None known to local municipalities.

Effective date

180 days after it shall have become a law.

Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.