Requires a study of the performance of the state's roadways in reducing the risk of motor vehicles departing the travel lane and overturning, or colliding with fixed objects

2 Co-sponsors

• Jesse Hamilton
• Bill Perkins

Title of bill

An act to amend the transportation law and the public authorities law, in relation to the study and examination of the state's roadways and the thruway in reducing certain motor vehicle risks

Purpose or general idea of bill

To improve the safety of the state's roadways and reduce the risk of crashes.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1. Amends the transportation law by adding a new subdivision 36. Directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to study and examine the performance of the state's roadways in reducing the departure of motor vehicles from travel lanes and subsequently crashing, utilizing existing data whenever possible. Requires the Commissioner to submit a report no later than August, 2016 and annually thereafter, to the governor and legislature. The study and examination would be required to include, but not be limited to, high-fatality roadway segments and those segments with hazardous features such as steep slopes, embankments, cliffs, drop-offs or deep bodies of water.

Section 2. Amends the public authorities law by adding a new subdivision 3. Directs the New York State Thruway Authority to study and examine the performance of the thruway in reducing the risk of motor vehicles departing the travel lane and overturning or colliding with fixed objects. Such study and examination shall include but not be limited to segments of the thruway with a high number of fatal crashes and segments with hazardous features, utilizing existing data wherever possible. Requires the Authority to submit a report no later than August, 2016 and annually thereafter, to the governor and legislature. The study and examination would be requited to include, but not be limited to, high-fatality roadway segments and those segments with hazardous features such as steep slopes, embankments, cliffs, drop-offs or deep bodies of water.

Section 3. Effective Date

Existing law

None.

Justification

Motor vehicle crashes take a terrible human toll on people whether they are vehicle passengers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, or pedestrians, depriving individuals of their independence when crashes cause serious physical injury, and depriving families of their loved ones and society of valued members when the crashes are fatal. While there are general downward trends in the number of motor vehicle fatal crashes and the number of fatalities on New York State's roadways, more can and should be done to further prevent them. This bill presents an opportunity to focus on high-risk sections of road across the State such as those with a high number of fatal crashes and those with hazardous features like steep slopes, embankments, cliffs, drop-offs and deep bodies of water. Strategies for reducing the risk of vehicles abruptly leaving their lanes of travel and crashing can and should be identified in order to reduce the risk of crashes at these high-risk locations to better protect the safety of the traveling public and prevent future tragedies.

Prior legislative history

2014: S.309A - Amend and Recommit to Transportation/ A.176A - Amend and Recommit to Transportation 2013: S.309 - Referred to Transportation/A.176 - Referred to Transportation

Fiscal implications

Minimal.

Effective date

This act shall take effect sixty days after it shall have become a law.