What's happening
This bill requires the New York driver's manual to include an explanation of the safety benefits of using the "Dutch Reach" method to prevent accidents with cyclists.
Why it matters
Raises public awareness of a proven safety technique. By including a detailed description of the Dutch Reach in the driver's manual, the bill promotes a simple behavioral change that can significantly reduce "dooring" accidents, where cyclists are hit by car doors opened into their path.
Integrates cyclist safety into driver education. The amendment ensures that new drivers in New York are explicitly taught to look for cyclists before opening their doors, encouraging a culture of shared road responsibility and potentially improving relations between drivers and cyclists.
Establishes a legal reference for safe exiting practices. Including this language in the official manual could influence not just driver behavior, but also future enforcement and legal standards regarding what constitutes reasonable care when exiting a vehicle near traffic or bike lanes.
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Who cares
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Add Dutch Reach to Manual
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History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8510
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
August 7, 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 adding an explanation of the safety benefits of using the "dutch reach" to the driver's manual
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 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:
3. Application for learner's permit. An application for a learner's permit shall be included in the application for a license. A learner's permit shall be issued in such form as the commissioner shall determine but shall not be issued unless the applicant has successfully passed the vision test required by this section and the test set forth in paragraph (a) of subdivision four of this section with respect to laws relating to traffic and ability to read and comprehend traffic signs and symbols and has satisfactorily completed any course required pursuant to paragraph (a) of subdivision four of this section. Upon acceptance of an application for a learner's permit the commissioner shall provide the applicant with a driver's manual which includes but is not limited to the laws relating to traffic, the laws relating to and physiological effects of driving while ability impaired and driving while intoxicated, the law for exercising due care to avoid colliding with a parked, stopped or standing vehicle pursuant to section eleven hundred forty-four-a of this chapter, explanations of traffic signs and symbols, an explanation of the safety benefits of opening a door from within a motor vehicle by first checking the rear-view mirror, next checking the side-mirror, and finally using the hand furthest from the door to open such door, thereby forcing one's body to turn and more easily spot an approaching cyclist, and such other matters as the commissioner may prescribe.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13582-01-9
A. 8510 2
§ 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.
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.