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History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S5531
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to increasing the penalties for leaving the scene of an incident involving a wheeled non-motorized means of conveyance
Purpose or general idea of bill
This legislation would make the penalties for leaving the scene of a bicycle accident consistent with the penalties for leaving the scene of an automobile accident.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends subdivision 2 of section 1240 of the vehi- cle and traffic law to make leaving the scene of an incident involving a wheeled non-motorized means of conveyance without reporting in the second degree a class A misdemeanor.
Section 2 of the bill amends subdivision 2 of section 1241 of the vehi- cle and traffic law to make leaving the scene of an incident involving a wheeled non-motorized means of conveyance without reporting in the first degree a class E felony.
Section 3 of the bill provides that the act shall take effect immediate- ly.
Justification
There have been several recent incidents in New York State of bicyclists hitting and seriously injuring a pedestrian, and then fleeing the scene of the accident without reporting. Although bicycles don't travel as fast or weigh nearly as much as automobiles, they still certainly have the capability to knock a pedestrian down and cause serious injury, including lacerations, broken bones, or head trauma.
Our current penalties for leaving the scene of an automobile accident are based upon the seriousness of the injury inflicted upon the injured party. Accordingly, it is appropriate that bicycle accidents are held to the same standard as automobile accidents. Although bicycle accidents are often not as injurious as automobile accidents, in the cases where they are, the offending party should be properly held accountable for their actions in the event that they flee the scene.
Prior legislative history
None.
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.