What's happening
This bill requires all new motor vehicles sold in New York from 2024 onward to have a blind spot monitoring device.
Why it matters
Mandates advanced safety tech for all new cars. Every new automobile sold in New York from model year 2024 onward must have a blind spot monitoring device, pushing manufacturers and dealers to standardize this safety feature, not just offer it as an upgrade.
Expands official definition of blind spot monitoring. The law spells out exactly what counts—a system of cameras or sensors that actively warn drivers (with lights, buzzers, or both) when something is in a blind spot, ensuring devices are proactive and effective rather than passive.
Aims to reduce accidents and fatalities. By requiring this technology, the bill targets crashes caused by drivers missing vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians in their blind spots—potentially lowering injury and fatality rates, especially in dense urban areas.
Gives state power to adapt standards. The commissioner is tasked with setting and updating specific rules, allowing New York to respond quickly if technology or safety standards evolve, keeping the law relevant over time.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Blind Spot Monitors
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Print number 8383a
- Amend and recommit 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.
Require Blind Spot Monitors
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Felix Ortiz
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8383--A
IN SENATE
May 4, 2018
Introduced by Sen. SEPULVEDA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring all new motor vehicles sold in this state to be equipped with a blind spot monitoring device
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section 379 to read as follows:
§ 379. Blind spot monitoring device. 1. For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
a. "blind spot monitoring device" shall mean a system of digital cameras or other media recording devices fitted within the body or on the exterior of a motor vehicle which is capable of monitoring all blind spots associated with such motor vehicle and which generates a warning to the operator of such motor vehicle, by means of a light, a buzzer or both, when any object is detected in such blind spot; and
b. "blind spot" shall mean an area of the road that cannot be seen by the operator of a motor vehicle while looking forward or through either the rear-view or side mirrors.
2. Commencing with model year two thousand twenty-four and every model year thereafter, every automobile sold in this state shall be equipped with a blind spot monitoring device. The commissioner is hereby authorized and directed to promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08362-03-8
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 all new motor vehicles sold in this state to be equipped with a blind spot monitoring device
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill mandates that all new vehicles sold in the State of New York with model year 2024 and thereafter be equipped with a blind spot moni- toring device in order to increase drivers' awareness of their environ- ment and to improve driver safety
Summary of specific provisions
The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section 379 which defines "blind spot monitoring device", "blind spot", and that every car model year 2024 and thereafter shall be equipped with a blind spot moni- toring device.
Justification
Irrespective of how competent a driver is, accidents can still happen. A momentary lax in concentration or another vehicle coming out of nowhere can lead to a serious or even fatal accident. Technology now exists whereby a digital camera attached to each exterior mirror of a vehicle can prevent such accidents. Whenever another vehicle enters that ear's blind spot, it is recorded by the camera, and a warning light on the dashboard flashes, alert the driving to the possible danger so that they can then take precautionary measures. Passage of this bill will mean lives will be saved by this cheap, simple, common sense solution.
Prior legislative history
New
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.