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History
- Referred to transportation
- Print number 5173a
- Amend and recommit to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
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Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to a driver safety course; to amend the state finance law, in relation to a driver safety course fund; and to repeal certain provisions of such laws relating thereto
Purpose
This bill will create an internet based driver safety course educating new and established drivers. The current classroom based 5-hour Pre-Licensing Course and 6-hour Point and Insurance Reduction Program will be merged into this more uniform approach. This bill will improve oversight through the use of biometric technology, and create significant revenue for the state to enhance our roadways. Biometric technology will be utilized to validate identity and participation. This will include methods such as facial recognition, key stroke analysis, voice print or fingerprint.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Articles 12-B and 12-C of the vehicle and traffic law are repealed and a new article 12-B is added to create a new driver safety course. Section 2. Subdivision 4 of section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law is repealed and a new subdivision 4 modifies pre-licensing requirements. Section 3. Section 89-q of the state finance law is repealed and a new section 89-g is added to receive and disperse funds received by the program. Section 4. This act will take effect September 1, 2009.
Justification
New York drivers are ranked last on their knowledge of the rules of the road according to 2007 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test. In 2006, New Yorkers ranked 47th, and in 2005 they ranked 44th. Furthermore, the Department of Motor Vehicles recently conducted two studies which determined that one of New York's current classroom based training programs, the Point and Insurance Reduction Program, is not only ineffective, but produces drivers who are more likely to cause accidents and commit traffic violations. All New Yorkers are being placed at risk. The State of New York must begin using the most effective interactive educational methods available to encourage its citizens to increase their knowledge base and change their attitudes towards driving behavior. Developing a comprehensive internet based driver safety course will make our roadways safer for all citizens and save lives. An internet based uniform traffic safety educational program educating various drivers in different stages of their driving lifespan will accomplish this goal.
Legislative history
2007-2008; A.10947
Fiscal implications
Approximately one million students per year take the prelicensing and point and insurance reduction courses. The state receives only $2.00 per student for the existing classroom based point and insurance reduction course, while mainly private out-of-state firms receive between $50.00 and $75.00 per student. The state receives nothing on the pre-licensing course, while private firms pocket roughly $50.00 per student. A New York internet based basic skills and driver improvement program would produce overall revenue on the order of $100 million per year.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.