Requires a horse-drawn carriage operating at night to be equipped with functioning front and rear lamps

5 Co-sponsors

• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• George Onorato
• Suzi Oppenheimer
• John L. Sampson
• Diane J. Savino

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring horse-drawn carriages to have headlights

Purpose or general idea of bill

Prohibits night riding or leading a horse upon a roadway during the period from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise.

Summary of specific provisions

The provisions of this section shall not apply to horse-drawn carriages or carts or police officers, peace officers or park rangers mounted on horseback. However, if a horse-drawn carriage is operated on a highway during such period, it must be equipped with functioning front headlights and rear tail lights.

Justification

In rural areas of New York State, riding horses or horse drawn carriages after dark can be a real danger not only to the operators and passengers, but the drivers and passengers of motor vehicles. There is potentially a serious risk for a rear collision causing severe, if not life threatening, injuries to human life and the animals involved. There are many farmers, private owner's of horses, and Amish sects living in our rural areas of New York State. For the safety of all, horses will be prohibited from the roadways from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise and horse-drawn carriages may operate on roadways during the evening and nighttime hours with operating front and rear lights.

Prior legislative history

S.7103 of 2008

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.