Requires the use of seatbelts by passengers in taxicabs and for-hire vehicles in the city of New York

1 Co-sponsor

• José M. Serrano

BILL NUMBER:S5907A

Title of bill

An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the use of seatbelts by passengers in taxicabs and for-hire vehicles in the city of New York and requiring operators to display a notice informing passengers of such requirement

Summary of provisions

Section One of the bill &mends Section 19-529 of the administrative code of the city of New York by adding two new subdivisions (e),(f), and (g) to state that every taxicab and for-hire vehicle shall display a notice within the taxicab or for-hire vehicle which states in conspicuous lettering of at least seventy-two point boldface type:

NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES ALL PASSENGERS TO BE RESTRAINED BY SEAT AND/OR SHOULDER BELTS. PASSENGERS UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHT MUST BE RESTRAINED IN A FEDERALLY-APPROVED CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN A FINE OF UP TO $50 PER VIOLATION.

Such sign shall be placed in an upright position and in a conspicuous place where it can easily be read by the passengers in the taxicab or for-hire vehicle.

Any taxicab or for-hire vehicle which violates the provisions of this subdivision shall be subject to a civil penalty, not to exceed one hundred dollars for each day of violation.

All passengers in a taxicab or for-hire vehicle shall be restrained by a safety belt approved by the commissioner. Any person who violates the provisions of this subdivision shall be punished by a civil fine of up to fifty dollars.

The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to a passenger with a physically disabling condition whose physical disability would prevent appropriate restraint in such safety seat or safety belt provided, however, such condition as duly certified by a physician who shall state the nature of the handicap, as well as the reason such restraint is inappropriate.

Existing law

New law

Justification

Seat belts save lives and help prevent serious injuries in a traffic crash. This is why New York State requires seat belt use in motor vehi- cles.

A law enforcement officer can issue a traffic ticket for the failure to wear a seat be New York State's occupant restraint law requires the

passengers in the front seat, the driver and each passenger must wear a seat belt, one person per belt. The driver and front-seat passengers aged 16 or older can be fined up to $50 each for failure to buckle up. Further, every occupant, regardless of age or seating position, of a motor vehicle being operated by the holder of a Class-DJ Learner Permit, a Limited Class-DJ, or Class-DJ Driver License must be restrained by a safety restraint.

Inexplicably, New York State exempts seat belt use for passengers in taxis or for-hire vehicles. The damage and trauma of a passenger not wearing a seatbelt in a taxi or for-hire vehicle during an accident is exactly the same as those passengers hurt while riding in any other type of motor vehicle.

This legislation requires taxis and for-hire vehicles to comply with New York's seatbelt mandate.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

Minimal

Local fiscal implications

Minimal

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.