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History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to rear passenger seat belts requirement
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Guillermo Linares
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S6015
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to rear passenger seat belts
Purpose or general idea of bill
Mandates the use of safety belts. When rear seat occupants use safety belts, they fare significantly better in traffic accidents. Front seat passengers also fare better in accidents when the rear passengers are belted. Mandating to use of safety belts by rear seat occupants will improve traffic accident outcomes and safe lives for all involved. Any penalty for an unrestrained back seat passenger shall be the responsibility of such passenger, with the exception of children under the age of sixteen, where such penalty shall be the responsibility of his or her parent or guardian.
Summary of specific provisions
Amends subdivisions 1, 3, and 9 of section 1229-c of the vehicle and traffic law. Amends the vehicle and traffic law to add section 108-a.
Subdivision 1 - Delineates between motor vehicles classified as "taxis, liveries, and buses" and all others
Subdivision 3 - Mandates use of safety belts in all motor vehicle seating positions
Subdivision 9 - Establishes exceptions. Further established to whom penalties will be applied.
Section 108-a - Defines "transit bus" as described in the exceptions established in Subdivision 9
Justification
Currently, under the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, does not mandate the use of safety belts by passengers in the rear seat of motor vehicles. The dangers of not wearing a safety belt in the rear seat have been highlighted recently by the deaths of several high-profile individuals. These events have called attention to what researchers had long ago concluded; rear occupant safety belt usage saves lives.
As of a 2008 survey conducted by the U.S. DOT NHTSA, 20 States and the District of Columbia required vehicle occupants 18 and older to use seat belts when riding in the rear seat. A 2007 funded by the NHTSA titled "Association of rear seat safety belt use with death in a traffic crash: a matched cohort study" concluded that safety belt use was associated with a reduced risk of death for rear car occupants. According to the authors, if their estimates are casual, traffic crash mortality can be reduced for rear occupants by approximately 55-75% is they use safety belts. The lifesaving benefits of rear seat safety belt usage are not limited to the wearer. A 2004 study by MacLennan, McGwin, Metzger, at al published in the Journal of Injury Prevention concluded that "belted occupants are at an increased risk of injury and death in the event of a Motor Vehicle Collision (MVC) from unbelted occupants.... unbelted occupants in MVCs become projectiles within the vehicle and increase the risk of injury to other occupants."
Prior legislative history
None
Fiscal implications
TBD
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.