Directs the commissioner of motor vehicles to repeal the authorization of internet technologies as a training method for the administration and completion of approved accident prevention courses

Section 2. Repeals Article 12-C of the vehicle and traffic law on September 1, 2015 and provides that any rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be completed on or before such date.

Section 3. Effective Date

Existing law

Article 12-C of the Vehicle and Traffic Law establishes the Accident Prevention Course Internet and Other Technology Pilot Program

Justification

This legislation would immediately direct the commissioner of motor vehicles not to approve additional accident prevention course and defensive driving programs taken over the internet and sunsets the Internet Point Insurance Reduction Program on September 1, 2015. The bill allows only accident prevention or defensive driving courses delivered in classrooms with certified instructors present, promoting the proper identification of students registering for and completing such courses. The physical presence of a certified instructor would also facilitate the clarification of any questions or issues rising from course content.

Successful completion of the course results in a reduction in the participant)s insurance premiums (10% for three years) and, in most cases, a violation point reduction. There is no real evidence that the Internet Point Insurance Reduction Program courses available to New York drivers actually improve driving behavior, skills or accident rates and consequently should not be promoted by the State as a way to significantly enhance highway safety. On the contrary, state sponsored studies show that these internet-based courses have no measurable positive impact on driver improvement.

Successful completion of accident prevention courses requires the participants to attend these classes in person. The Internet Point Insurance Reduction Program should be suspended until it can be credibly demonstrated that participant identification can be reliably verified and that taking these courses actually improves driver safety and warrants significant insurance and point reduction benefits. Currently, all approved Internet Point Insurance Reduction Program sponsors are also required to provide classroom instructed courses so there will still be such opportunities for drivers to obtain insurance and point reduction benefits by taking effective courses.

Additionally, the State Senate provides its members and staff with the opportunity to attend the Defensive Driving Course. Successful completion of the course requires the participants to attend in person. It seems reasonable that if the State Senate requires in-person attendance of its employees, then State Statute should require in-person attendance for all defensive driving course participants as well.

Legislative history

2014-2013 - S.382A - Referred to Transportation/A.8663 - Referred to Transportation 2012: S.290 - Referred to Transportation 2011: S.290 - Notice of Committee Consideration Requested; Discharged from Transportation and Committed to Insurance 2010-2009: S.2172A - Amended and Recommitted to Transportation/A.324 - Enacting Clause Stricken

Financial implication

TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS :

To be determined

Effective date

Immediately