Relates to requiring parking garages to install and operate pedestrian warning devices where vehicles exiting such garage cross a pedestrian sidewalk

4 Co-sponsors

• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• Shirley L. Huntley
• Jeffrey D. Klein
• Bill Perkins

BILL NUMBER:S454

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to pedestrian warning devices for parking garages

Purpose or general idea of bill

To warn pedestrians on sidewalks that cars are exiting a parking garage and will cross the sidewalk.

Summary of specific provisions

Adds a new section to the vehicle and traffic law to define exit, parking garage and pedestrian warning device.

Parking garages must install at each exit where vehicles cross a sidewalk, a pedestrian warning device, a stop sign and a notice to vehicles to yield the right of way to pedestrians. The pedestrian warning device must have a flashing yellow light and an intermittent audible signal that is activated when cars exit the garage and over a sidewalk.

Pedestrian warning devices shall only be required on those parking garages that have 20 or more parking spaces and shall not be required on open air lots where pedestrians can clearly see vehicles exiting over the sidewalk.

Violations are punishable by a fine of up to $250 for each violation.

Justification

Pedestrian safety is jeopardized at parking garage exits as drivers often have poor visibility of pedestrians approaching on the sidewalk in front of them. Parking garages often use shallow ramps from underground areas. Many times pedestrians do not have the advantage of seeing vehicles approaching the garage exit until the vehicle is already on the sidewalk. This is particularly problematic in urban areas where pedestrians can outnumber the amount of vehicles.

The requirements of this section would only apply to enclosed garages and not to parking lots.

Fiscal implications

None.

Legislative history

2009-10: S.3588/A.10968

Effective date

The one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.