What's happening
This bill requires New York's driver's pre-licensing course and exam to include motorcycle safety and awareness content and questions.
Why it matters
Raises awareness among all new drivers about motorcyclists on the road. , potentially reducing accidents caused by lack of knowledge or visibility of motorcycles.
Integrates motorcycle safety into the standard driver education curriculum. , not just for those seeking a motorcycle license, fostering greater mutual understanding between drivers and motorcyclists.
Requires drivers to demonstrate understanding of motorcycle-specific dangers and safe behaviors. such as checking blind spots or respecting lane usage—by including targeted questions on the written exam.
Aims to improve overall road safety and reduce motorcycle-related crashes and fatalities. by making motorcycle awareness a core part of driver training, reflecting the increasing presence of motorcycles on New York’s roads.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Add Motorcycle Safety to Tests
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to transportation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–1
- Ordered to third reading cal.1929
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
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.
Add Motorcycle Safety to Licensing
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor David Gantt
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2202
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 12, 2017
Introduced by Sens. PARKER, AVELLA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring that the five hour pre-licensing course include a motorcycle safety and awareness component, and that the driver's license examination include two questions concerning motorcycle safety and awareness
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) of subdivision 4 of section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 97 of the laws of 2016, is amended to read as follows:
(i) Upon submission of an application for a driver's license, the applicant shall be required to take and pass a test, or submit evidence of passage of a test, with respect to the laws relating to traffic, the laws relating to driving while ability is impaired and while intoxicated, under the overpowering influence of "Road Rage", or "Work Zone Safety" awareness as defined by the commissioner, the law relating to exercising due care to avoid colliding with a parked, stopped or standing authorized emergency vehicle or hazard vehicle pursuant to section eleven hundred forty-four-a of this chapter, the ability to read and comprehend traffic signs and symbols and such other matters as the commissioner may prescribe, and to satisfactorily complete a course prescribed by the commissioner of not less than four hours and not more than five hours, consisting of classroom driver training, motorcycle safety and awareness instruction and highway safety instruction or the equivalent thereof. Such test shall include at least seven written questions concerning the effects of consumption of alcohol or drugs on the ability of a person to operate a motor vehicle and the legal and financial consequences resulting from violations of section eleven hundred ninety-two of this chapter, prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Such test shall include
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02051-01-7
S. 2202 2
one or more written questions concerning the devastating effects of "Road Rage" on the ability of a person to operate a motor vehicle and the legal and financial consequences resulting from assaulting, threatening or interfering with the lawful conduct of another person legally using the roadway. Such test shall include one or more questions concerning the potential dangers to persons and equipment resulting from the unsafe operation of a motor vehicle in a work zone. Such test shall include at least two written questions concerning motorcycle safety and awareness and the potential dangers to motorcyclists resulting from the unsafe behavior of a driver or operation of a motor vehicle sharing the roadways with such motorcyclists. Such test may include one or more questions concerning the law for exercising due care to avoid colliding with a parked, stopped or standing authorized emergency vehicle or hazard vehicle pursuant to section eleven hundred forty-four-a of this chapter. Such test shall be administered by the commissioner. The commissioner shall cause the applicant to take a vision test and a test for color blindness. Upon passage of the vision test, the application may be accepted and the application fee shall be payable.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that if chapter 97 of the laws of 2016 shall not have taken effect on or before such date then section one of this act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as such chapter of the laws of 2016, takes effect.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring that the five hour pre-licensing course include a motorcycle safety and awareness component, and that the driver's license examination include two questions concerning motorcycle safety and awareness
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would amend the vehicle and traffic law to require new driver's license applicants to receive education in relation to motorcycle awareness and safety and answer two questions on the licensing exam in relation to this topic.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) of subdivision 4 of section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law as amended by chapter 458 of the laws of 2002 to include motorcycle safety and awareness instruction in the required classroom driver training. Additionally, this law is amended to include at least two written questions concerning motorcycle safety and awareness and the potential dangers to motorcyclists resulting from the unsafe behavior. of a driver or operation of a motor vehicle sharing the roadways with such motorcyclists.
Justification
As a result of studies relating to motorcycle crashes, it is believed that the failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is a leading cause of accidents. As a result, this bill has been created to enhance the safety of motorcyclists who share the roadway with less visibility then other vehicles on the road.
Prior legislative history
2015-16: S.2757/A.8506 - Died in Rules 2013-14: S.2698/A.1067 - Referred to Transportation 2011-12: S.1184/A.2587 Referred to Transportation 2009-10: S.6982/A.10071 - Referred to Transportation
Fiscal implications
Minimal.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that if chapter 97 of the laws of 2016 shall not have taken effect on or before such date then section one of this act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as such chapter of the laws of 2016, takes effect.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.