What's happening
This bill requires drivers convicted of a second or subsequent offense for passing a stopped school bus to attend a driver education course if recommended by the court.
Why it matters
Targets repeat offenders with enhanced corrective action. By mandating driver education for those convicted of passing a stopped school bus more than once (if the court recommends it), the bill aims to change risky behavior through education, not just fines or jail time.
Empowers judges with discretion. The requirement to attend a driver education course is contingent on a court’s recommendation, giving judges the ability to tailor penalties to individual circumstances and potentially address underlying causes of dangerous driving.
Focuses on student safety. The bill’s provisions are a response to the persistent risk faced by children getting on or off school buses, signaling a legislative priority on preventing repeat violations that endanger young pedestrians.
Potential for broader impact on road safety. By emphasizing education for repeat offenders, the law could reduce recidivism and promote greater awareness of school bus safety laws among drivers, possibly leading to fewer violations and safer roads overall.
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
School Bus Stop Penalty Reform
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
640
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to modifying the penalties associated with passing a stopped school bus to include a mandatory driver education course
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision (c) of section 1174 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 254 of the laws of 2002, is amended to read as follows:
(c) Every person convicted of a violation of subdivision (a) of this section shall: for a first conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than four hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days or by both such fine and imprisonment; for a conviction of a second violation, both of which were committed within a period of three years, such person shall be punished by a fine of not less than six hundred dollars nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one hundred eighty days or by both such fine and imprisonment; upon a conviction of a third or subsequent violation, all of which were committed within a period of three years, such person shall be punished by a fine of not less than seven hundred fifty dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one hundred eighty days or by both such fine and imprisonment. Every person convicted of a second violation or subsequent violation thereafter shall be required to attend a driver education course, if recommended by the court.
§ 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 and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04784-01-9
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.