Establishes the safe not suspended driver retraining pilot program and the safe not suspended driver retraining pilot program fund

BILL NUMBER:S5831

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to establishing the safe not suspended driver retraining pilot program; to amend the state finance law, in relation to establishing the safe not suspended driver retraining pilot program fund; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Purpose or general idea of bill

To establish the Safe Not Suspended driver retraining pilot program; establish authority for the Department of Motor Vehicles to establish regulations for the driver retraining pilot program

Summary of specific provisions

This bill would establish a new Article 12-D under Title 3 of the vehicle and traffic law to establish a driver retraining pilot program. The law will require a report, within five years of the establishment and implementation of the pilot, be presented to the governor, senate, and assembly. The law also establishes a suspension avoidance driver retraining pilot program fund.

Justification

New York issues more than 1,112,000 license suspensions annually with an estimated 75% of drivers that continue to drive during the suspension period. This bill would create the Safe Not Suspended Driver Retraining Pilot program, a behavioral-based course that New Yorkers have not experienced, and that has had proven results in reducing suspensions and promoting safe driving around the nation.

Currently in the State, suspended drivers merely serve the suspension period, pay a reinstatement fee, and have their license reinstated. While fines, fees, penalties, and surcharges may serve as a deterrent, the current suspension plan lacks a treatment component to affect behavior modification. Recidivism in suspended driving, and those driving whole their license is suspended has not been affected by the fines, fees, penalties, and surcharges.

Over the last twenty years Massachusetts, for example, has successfully provided for a driver retraining program that allows an opportunity through taking their classroom-based course to avoid a suspension, just as this bill would. The result has been reduced major and minor traffic incidents by up to 80% for these individual, thereby improving traffic safety as a whole for the State.

Prior legislative history

None.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.