What's happening
This bill creates a two-year pilot program to field test vehicle sensor devices that prevent driving if the operator is intoxicated.
Why it matters
Directly tests new alcohol-detection technology in real-world conditions, helping determine if these systems can reliably prevent impaired driving before any possible broader rollout.
Requires the state to consult with both device manufacturers and federal safety authorities, ensuring that the devices used meet current safety standards and benefit from expert oversight.
Mandates a comprehensive assessment—including location, participation details, accident reduction impact, and device performance data—ensuring policymakers receive concrete evidence about effectiveness, costs, and practical challenges.
Limits participation to volunteers under state guidelines, meaning privacy, consent, and user experience issues can be evaluated before any consideration of making such technology mandatory.
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Who cares
Department of Motor Vehicles
The commissioner would authorize a two-year pilot, set participation and testing rules, and report on its costs, accuracy, efficiency and impact on alcohol-related crashes.
Alcohol-detection device manufacturers
The commissioner would consult manufacturers on rules for testing devices created by the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety Program.
Drivers volunteering for the pilot
Participation would be optional, and tested devices would prevent a vehicle from moving if the driver's blood alcohol level exceeds the legal limit while allowing other vehicle functions.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The commissioner would consult the agency before issuing rules for the field testing.
Headline styles
Test Drunk Driving Sensors
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3234
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 29, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ORTIZ -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to creating a pilot program for the field testing of driving while intoxicated vehicle sensor devices; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof
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 1225-e to read as follows:
§ 1225-e. Pilot program for field testing of driving while intoxicated vehicle sensor devices. 1. For purposes of this section "field testing" shall mean the use of devices created by the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety Program utilized in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the commissioner, that determines whether or not the operator of a motor vehicle is unlawfully impaired by the use of alcohol. Such devices shall measure the operator's blood alcohol level, and if determined that the operator's blood alcohol level is above the legal limit pursuant to section eleven hundred ninety-two of this chapter, the vehicle shall not be permitted to move but shall perform all other vehicle functions.
2. The commissioner shall authorize a two year pilot program to perform field testing of the devices referenced in subdivision one of this section. After consultation with manufacturers of such devices and the national highway traffic safety administration, the commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to perform the field testing. Participation in the pilot program shall be optional and subject to participation guidelines established by the commissioner.
3. At the conclusion of such pilot program, the commissioner shall assess the program and submit a report to the legislature and the governor, which shall include, but not be limited to, the amount and location
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06265-01-9
A. 3234 2
of the participants, the impact of the program on reducing traffic accidents resulting from driving while intoxicated, and data analyzing the cost, efficiency, and accuracy of the field testing.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law and shall expire and be deemed repealed two years after such date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.