What's happening
This bill updates requirements for school bus signs, allowing reflective materials for improved visibility instead of only illumination.
Why it matters
Increases flexibility and potential cost savings for school districts. by allowing the use of approved reflective materials, not just illumination, to make school bus signs visible at night—potentially reducing maintenance and energy expenses related to illumination systems.
Improves safety for students and drivers. by ensuring school bus signs remain visible from at least 500 feet away, day or night, using modern materials that could offer enhanced durability and visibility under various weather conditions.
Updates legal requirements to keep pace with available technology. , giving the commissioner authority to approve new types of reflective materials, which may encourage innovation and adoption of more effective safety features over time.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Make School Bus Signs Brighter
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Assembly Member · Assembly District 108
16 Co-sponsors
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3847
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 31, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. McDONALD, D'URSO, JOYNER, LUPARDO, SEAWRIGHT, LAWRENCE, GALEF, ARROYO, B. MILLER, WALSH, FAHY, BLAKE -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COOK, DAVILA -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the color and visibility of signs on school buses
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraph 1 of paragraph (b) and paragraph (c) of subdivision 20 of section 375 of the vehicle and traffic law, subparagraph 1 of paragraph (b) as amended by chapter 242 of the laws of 1992 and paragraph (c) as amended by chapter 96 of the laws of 1973, are amended to read as follows:
(1) In addition to such signal lamps, two signs shall be conspicuously displayed on the exterior of every such omnibus designating it as a school omnibus by the use of the words "SCHOOL BUS" which shall be painted or otherwise inscribed thereon in [black letters] lettering colored black or made in a reflective material approved for use for omnibuses by the commissioner so long as said material is visible from at least five hundred feet distant. Such letters shall be of uniform size, at least eight inches in height, and each stroke of each letter shall be not less than one inch in width. The background of each such sign shall be painted or otherwise applied in the color known as "national school bus chrome." For each such omnibus having a seating capacity in excess of fifteen children, such signs shall be securely mounted on top of such vehicle, one of which shall be affixed on the front and one on the rear thereof. For each such omnibus having a seating capacity of not more than fifteen children, such signs shall be securely mounted on top of such vehicle, one of which shall face the front and one of which shall face the rear thereof. Each such sign shall be visible and readable from a point at least two hundred feet distant.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00465-01-9
A. 3847 2
(c) In the event such vehicle is operated on a public highway during the period between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, the signs required by paragraph (b) of this subdivision shall be [illuminated as to be visible from a point at least five hundred feet distant] constructed as to be visible from at least five hundred feet distant, either by illumination or by reflective material approved by the commissioner as authorized in subparagraph one of paragraph (b) of this subdivision.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made on or before 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.