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Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Authorizes the county of Nassau to establish a demonstration program to monitor compliance with traffic control indications
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Charles Lavine
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 establishing a demonstration program imposing monetary liability on the owner of a vehicle for failure of an operator thereof to comply with traffic control indications in Nassau county
Purpose
This Legislation seeks to prevent the deaths and injuries caused by motorists running red light by authorizing Nassau county to adopt local law to implement a program to install photo violation-monitoring devices at up to fifty intersections.
Summary of provisions
The bill would amend Section 1111-a of the Vehicle and Traffic Law to authorize Nassau County to adopt a local law to implement a demonstration program to install photo violation-monitoring devices at up to fifty intersections. This program would be similar to the program that section 1111-a presently authorizes the City of New York to implement. Like the City, Nassau County would be authorized to impose monetary liability of up to fifty dollars on the owners of vehicles shown by a photo violation-monitoring device to fail to comply with traffic- jurisdiction to adjudicate violations under this section in Nassau County. As in the City, no liability could be imposed against owners who did not give their consent to the operation of their vehicle. But there would be a statutory presumption that vehicles were operated with owners' consent. Also, as in the City of New York, it would be a defense that traffic control indications were malfunctioning at the time of the alleged violation. Lessors and rental companies would not be held liable for violations. Vehicle owners are not prohibited from maintaining actions for indemnification against operators. Finally, the bill would require Nassau County, like the City of New York, to submit an annual program report to the legislature and Governor. The report will be prepared by the Executive Director of TPVA.
Read the full memo (605 words)
Justification
Aggressive driving, including running red lights, is a significant reason for a reported increase in the percentage of fatalities occurring at intersections as noted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Red light running accidents are often the worst type of accident; they often involve speed and right-angle impacts, which can lead to the most severe injuries. In New York State 30% of reported vehicular accidents in 1998 occurred at signalized intersections. Of those, 244 involved fatalities. Of More than 18,000 pedestrian accidents occurring in the same peiord, 33% were at signalized intersections.
Many cities in the United States already have operational photo enforcement for catching red light runners, including New York City. Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Baltimore, and Washington DC Photo enforcement of red light running, and in making intersections safer.
Most significantly, New York City has had a highly successful red light cameras. Since January 2006 scoff law enforcement has increased by one hundred fifty-eight percent. The data from the New York City Department of Transportation has demonstrated that the presence of red light cameras significantly alters the behavior of drivers and dramatically reduces the number of accidents at affected intersections. Traffic accidents at intersections are a major public safety issue in Nassau county and it is beyond doubt that a red light camera program would provide a significant improvement in traffic safety with in the County. The Nassau County Traffic Safety Board reports that three of New York's deadliest roads are Hempstead Turnpike, Old Country Road and sunrise Highway.
Nassau County is being joined by Suffolk, Westchester and many upstate counties in the effort to bolster traffic safety.
Legislative history
2007-2008: Passed the Senate (S.4296)
Fiscal implications
None to the State.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.