Provides for doubling the fine for a moving violation occurring within a quarter mile radius of a primary or secondary school or 200 yards of a school in N.Y. city

BILL NUMBER:S935A

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to establishing the school safety zone act

Purpose

This legislation defines a "safety zone" as the area or space included within a half mile radius of a public school or 200 yards of a school in New York City, and requires localities having jurisdiction over a school safety zone to double the fine imposed on a person who commits a moving traffic violation within said zone.

Summary of provisions

Amends the vehicle and traffic law by adding a new section 142-a, 1229-e, and 1229-f. Section 142-a defines a school safety zone as the area or space included within a half mile radius of a primary or secondary school except in cities comprising more than one county where such zone will be two hundred yards. Section 1229-e requires: (1) all fines for moving violations in said zones be doubled during posted school hours and incorporates all towns and cities in New York state to this law. (2) the governing body of any town city or village and local community board of any city obtain the school hours of every building in a school safety zone within their jurisdictions, and incorporate such hours in the signs posted to designate school safety zones. (3) For one year following the effective date, 50% of the State's increased fine revenue will remain with the locality to pay for the required signage. Section 1229-f requires that the body or officer authorized to establish maximum school speed limits must consult with (1)(a) the governing body of the city, town, or village, or (b) local community board of any city comprising more than one county; (2) the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over such school safety zone; provided that if any school safety zone is subject to the jurisdiction of any body or officer authorized to establish maximum school speed limits and such body has its own law enforcement agency, such agency shall be first in order of preference for consultation with respect to school safety zones.

Justification

In 2002 motor vehicle crashes were the leading killer of children. Increased fines act as an effective deterrent to potential violators near schools, and decrease senseless tragedies. The revenue generated will also aid our state in covering the costs of emergency services, traffic precautions, and any other public services related to the protection and care of children involved in vehicle related accidents. Young children are especially at risk in school zones due to their underdeveloped motor skills, coordination, sensory stimulation, and balance. With the high concentration of such children in and around public schools, our state needs to take necessary steps to deter potential traffic violations in school safety zones. Doubling traffic fines in school safety zones will deter traffic violations near schools and create a safer environment.

Legislative history

S.5634 of 2006: Passed Senate; S.613 of 2007-08: Passed Senate; S.596 of 2009-10: Senate Transportation Committee

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law; provided that any and all rules and regulations and any other measures necessary to implement any provision of this act on its effective date may be promulgated and taken, respectively, on or before the effective date of such provision.