What's happening
This bill allows volunteer firefighters and ambulance members to affix and use multiple blue or green lights on their vehicles during emergencies.
Why it matters
Enhances volunteer emergency response visibility. By allowing multiple blue or green lights, volunteer firefighters and ambulance members can make their vehicles more noticeable when responding to emergencies, potentially improving safety for both responders and the public.
Acknowledges evolving emergency needs. The change reflects a recognition that a single light may not provide adequate warning in all conditions, especially at night, in bad weather, or in heavy traffic, supporting more effective response practices.
Maintains oversight and accountability. The authorization for multiple lights still requires written approval from the fire chief or ambulance service chief, ensuring that use remains regulated and within organizational control, preventing misuse.
Supports volunteer recruitment and morale. Granting volunteers similar visibility tools as professionals can help them feel more supported and valued, which may aid in recruitment and retention for volunteer emergency services.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow More Emergency Vehicle Lights
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
164
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. HELMING -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the display of blue and green lights on certain motor vehicles
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraph a of paragraph 4 and the opening paragraph of paragraph 5 of subdivision 41 of section 375 of the vehicle and traffic law, subparagraph a of paragraph 4 as amended by chapter 465 of the laws of 2010, and the opening paragraph of paragraph 5 as amended by chapter 349 of the laws of 2004, are amended to read as follows:
a. One or more blue [light] lights may be affixed to any motor vehicle owned by a volunteer member of a fire department or on a motor vehicle owned by a member of such person's family residing in the same household or by a business enterprise in which such person has a proprietary interest or by which he or she is employed, provided such volunteer firefighter has been authorized in writing to so affix [a] one or more blue [light] lights by the chief of the fire department or company of which he or she is a member, which authorization shall be subject to revocation at any time by the chief who issued the same or his or her successor in office. Such blue [light] lights may be displayed exclusively by such volunteer firefighter on such a vehicle only when engaged in an emergency operation. The use of blue lights on vehicles shall be restricted for use only by a volunteer firefighter except as otherwise provided for in subparagraph b of this paragraph.
One or more green [light] lights may be affixed to any motor vehicle owned by a member of a volunteer ambulance service, or on a motor vehicle owned by a member of such person's family, or by a business enterprise in which such person has a proprietary interest or by which he is employed, provided such member has been authorized in writing to so
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04957-01-9
S. 164 2
affix [a] one or more green [light] lights by the chief officer of such service as designated by the members thereof. Such green [light] lights may be displayed exclusively by such member of a volunteer ambulance service only when engaged in an emergency operation. The use of green lights on vehicles shall be restricted for use only by a member of a volunteer ambulance service as provided for in this paragraph.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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 the display of blue and green lights on certain motor vehicles
Purpose
To allow emergency first responders to have more than one emergency light in their civilian/private vehicles.
Summary of provisions
Section 375 of Vehicle and Traffic Law is amended to allow any motor vehicle owned by a volunteer member of a fire department or motor vehi- cle owned by a member of such person's family or business enterprise to have more than one blue light displayed on the vehicle.
Section 375 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law is further amended to allow any motor vehicle owned by a member of a volunteer ambulance service or motor vehicle owned by a member of such person's family or business enterprise to have more than one green light displayed on the vehicle.
Justification
Currently, volunteer fire department members and volunteer ambulance service members are allowed to have only one emergency light per their civilian/private vehicle. Oftentimes, in rural communities, the country roads are not well lit at night. One emergency light per vehicle, which is the current law, is not sufficient enough to let other drivers know a vehicle is coming down the road. By increasing the allowance of emergen- cy lights, other drivers will have more notice that an emergency vehicle is approaching.
Legislative history
S.7414-referred to Transportation.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.