What's happening
This bill prohibits for-hire vehicles with a capacity of ten or more, including the driver, from making U-turns on multi-lane roads except in emergencies or when directed by law enforcement.
Why it matters
Addresses safety risks. Restricting large for-hire vehicles (like shuttles, minibuses, and large taxis) from making U-turns on multi-lane roads aims to reduce traffic accidents and congestion, as these maneuvers can be especially dangerous for vehicles with limited turning ability and visibility.
Impacts transportation companies and drivers. Operators of for-hire vehicles with 10+ capacity may need to plan routes more carefully, potentially increasing travel distances or requiring alternative ways to change direction, which could affect scheduling and operational costs.
Prioritizes emergency and law enforcement situations. The bill allows exceptions for emergencies or when explicitly directed by law enforcement, balancing safety concerns with the need for flexibility in critical or controlled scenarios.
Could influence passenger experience. Passengers in large for-hire vehicles might experience longer or less direct routes, especially in urban areas with many multi-lane roads, due to the new restrictions on U-turns.
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
Ban U-Turns for Large Vans
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3022
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 31, 2019
Introduced by Sen. KENNEDY -- 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 prohibiting U turns by certain vehicles
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 a new section 1167 to read as follows:
§ 1167. U turns by certain vehicles prohibited. Any for hire vehicle with a capacity of transporting ten or more occupants, including the driver, is prohibited from making a U turn on any roadway in the state with two or more lanes of traffic, whether in the same direction or opposing, except in the case of an emergency situation or when the driver of such vehicle is directed to make a U turn by a police officer, peace officer, constable or sheriff.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01678-01-9
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 prohibiting U turns by certain vehicles
Purpose or general idea of bill
To prohibit drivers of for hire vehicles with a capacity of transporting ten or more occupants, including the driver, from making u turns.
Summary of provisions
Section one amends the vehicle and traffic law by adding a new section 1167 to provide that any for hire vehicle with a capacity of transport- ing ten or more occupants, including the driver, is prohibited from making a U turn on any roadway in the state with two or more lanes of traffic, whether in the same direction or opposing, except in the case of an emergency situation or when the driver of such vehicle is directed to make a U turn by a police officer, peace officer, constable or sher- iff.
Section two provides the effective date.
Justification
This legislation will prohibit drivers of for hire vehicles with a capacity of transporting ten or more occupants, including the driver, from making U turns. There are factors specific to these types of vehi- cles which render making a U turn unsafe. These include the length of the vehicle, which can prevent a driver from making a clean U turn with- out obstructing other lanes of traffic, visual line of sight restrictions, and weight, which prevent a driver from easily steering their vehicle and making a U turn as quickly as a standard size car. Stretch limousines in particular are considered to be too long to make U turns; a limo driver attempting to make a U turn would likely either need to go wide and cross over into oncoming traffic or make a K shaped turn, where they would lose their line of sight completely on their right side.(1)
The need for this legislation is highlighted by accidents such as the tragic July 2015 limousine crash in Cutchogue, New York that killed four people and injured four others and involved a limousine driver making a U turn in an intersection. Also, members of the industry have recognized the need to prevent avoidable accidents some limousine companies around the state are instructing their driver's to never make U turns.(2)
The structure of these vehicles makes attempting a U turn simply unsafe. Drivers can use alternatives like turning around in a parking lot or going around the block instead of trying to make a turn which their vehicle is not designed to execute safely. Prohibiting for hire vehicles with a capacity of transporting ten or more occupants, including the driver, from making U turns will promote increased safety for both the passengers and drivers of these vehicles, as well as other motorists and pedestrians on our roadways.
Prior legislative history
2018: A.11385, referred to transportation.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately. (1) See New York Supreme Court Suffolk County Grand Jury. Term 10F. Grand Jury Report CPL 190.85 (1) (C). Pg. 68. September 20, 2016. (2) Id
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.