What's happening
This bill doubles fines for traffic violations and misdemeanors committed in school traffic control zones in New York.
Why it matters
Increases deterrence for unsafe driving near schools. By doubling fines for both traffic infractions and misdemeanors in designated school traffic control zones, the bill aims to make drivers think twice before violating traffic laws where children are present, potentially reducing accidents and injuries.
Expands the definition and marking of school zones. The legislation requires that areas adjacent to schools with reduced speed limits be clearly marked as "school traffic control zones," including the installation of traffic lights or stop signs at every intersection or corner around these zones, making the boundaries unambiguous for drivers.
Uniformly applies stiffer penalties regardless of existing local rules. The bill overrides any conflicting rules or regulations, ensuring that the doubled fines are consistently enforced in all school traffic control zones statewide, closing loopholes and standardizing enforcement.
Immediate action required from state agencies. The bill instructs the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to promptly update regulations and ensure all necessary signage and enforcement measures are in place by the law’s effective date, meaning changes could be felt quickly in communities.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Double Fines Near Schools
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
2620
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 28, 2019
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- 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 doubling the fines for traffic infractions and traffic misdemeanors committed in school traffic control zones
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 two new sections 1800-a and 1801-a to read as follows:
§ 1800-a. School traffic control zone; traffic infractions. Notwithstanding the provisions of section eighteen hundred of this article and any rule or regulation to the contrary, that part of any highway adjacent to a school where maximum school speed limits have been established, shall also be designated a school traffic control zone and shall be clearly marked with the placement of either a traffic light or stop sign at every intersection or corner immediately surrounding a school safety zone within such school zone. All fines for traffic infractions pursuant to this chapter which are committed in a school traffic control zone shall be double the maximum amount otherwise set out in this chapter for such infractions.
§ 1801-a. School traffic control zone; misdemeanors. Notwithstanding the provisions of section eighteen hundred one of this article and any rule or regulation to the contrary, all fines for misdemeanor convictions pursuant to this chapter, which are committed in a school traffic control zone, as designated pursuant to section eighteen hundred-a of this article, shall be double the maximum amount otherwise set out in this chapter for such misdemeanor convictions.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Provided that the commissioner of motor vehicles is immediately authorized and directed to promulgate, amend and/or repeal any rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07416-01-9
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 doubling the fines for traffic infractions and traffic misdemeanors committed in school traffic control zones
Purpose
Provides that the fines for traffic infractions and traffic misdemeanors committed in a school traffic control zone are doubled.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one adds sections 1800-a and 1801-a to the vehicle and traffic law.
Section two is the effective date.
Justification
It is necessary that harsher punishments are implemented for individuals who violate the vehicle and traffic laws, especially in school traffic zones. Guaranteeing the safety of children should be taken with the utmost concern and importance. The majority of motor vehicles in school zones exceed the speed limit, endangering the welfare of children who are attending school. Taking an aggressive stance to enforce school zone vehicle and traffic laws will further minimize children's risk of getting injured by cars. By creating harsher penalties for people who violate traffic laws in designated school zones, it creates incentive to abide by the laws and hopefully reduce the amount of vehicle and traffic incidents.
Legislative history
2018: S.6212A - Passed Senate/A.7417A - Referred to Transportation 2016: S.3389 - Passed Senate/A.3170A - Referred to Transportation 2015: S.3389 - Passed Senate/A.3170A - Referred to Transportation 2014: S.2136 - Passed Senate/A.2361 - Referred to Transportation 2013: S.2136 - 3rd Reading Calendar/A.2361 - Referred to Transportation 2012: S.4892 - Passed Senate/A.4732 - Referred to Transportation 2011: S.4892 - Passed Senate/A.4732 - Referred to Transportation 2010: S.480 - Referred to Transportation/A.5965 - Referred to Transpor- tation 2009: S.480 - Referred to Transportation/A.5965 - Referred to Transpor- tation 2008: S.4922 - Referred to Transportation/A.8495 - Referred to Transpor- tation 2007: S.4922 - Referred to Transportation/A.8495 - Referred to Transpor- tation
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Provided that the commissioner of motor vehicles is imme- diately authorized and directed to promulgate, amend and/or repeal any rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.