Create Limo Safety Task Force

The task force shall undertake a review of the actions and measures that are needed to ensure safe, adequate, efficient and reliable passenger transportation by stretch limousine. The task force shall issue a final report and make recommendations regarding: (a) the promotion of enhanced coordination and uniformity between the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and the New York State Department of Transportation regarding the regulation of stretch limousines; (b) the establishment and adoption of a uniform safety training program for drivers; (c) the appropriateness of extending federal regulations that currently apply to bus drivers to stretch limousines, including, but not limited to extend- ing the requirement for alcohol and drug testing to drivers of vehicles with ten occupants or more; (d) establishing a limit on the maximum allowable time frame for stretch limousines to be permitted to operate on state roadways; (e) the need for additional safety measures, includ- ing traffic safety measures such as prohibiting drivers from making U-turns or the use of hands-free devices while operating a stretch limousine, and requiring that certain safety features be installed in these vehicles, multiple anti-intrusion bars in side panels, carbon monoxide monitors, and rear view cameras; and (f) increasing the minimum age for drivers to obtain a license to operate stretch limousines.

Section two provides the effective date.

Justification

Stretch limousines are the vehicle of choice for many happy occasions, from family events, to birthdays, to weddings, to the annual ritual of prom. But they also present unique challenges that implicate the safety of drivers and passengers alike.

As with any area where multiple state agencies must collaborate, period- ic review of inter-agency and external communication is critical to ensure passenger safety. Additionally, the current set of regulations does not reflect the ever-changing array of safety features available to other motor vehicles that may be practically deployed in a stretch limousine. Finally, there are a number of questions that are specific to stretch limousines, such as whether there is an upper limit that ought to be established in terms of how long or for how many miles such a vehicle ought to be allowed to operate on the state's roadways.

The need for this review was underscored by the tragic July 2015 limou- sine crash in Cutchogue, New York that killed four people and injured four others. It was further reinforced by the final report and recommen- dations of the Suffolk County Supreme Court Special Grand Jury, which was impaneled to investigate that Cutchogue crash and suggested a number of improvements in passenger safety and regulation that ought to be made at the state and county level. It has been prompted anew in the wake of another, even deadlier crash in Schoharie, NY.

The legislation implements this recommendation from the Special Grand Jury report by creating a task force of owners and operators of busi- nesses that utilize stretch limousines throughout the different geographic regions of the state, understanding that the particular issues in New York City may not be those experienced in Buffalo or Syra- cuse, to say nothing of suburban and rural communities. The task force would be convened and co-chaired by the designee of the Commissioner of the NYS Department of Transportation and the Commissioner of the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles. Since law enforcement will be required to enforce any changes, the State Police ought to be represented as well. Finally, the Governor, Speaker of the Assembly, and President of the Senate would select additional appointees including representatives from community groups and those with deep knowledge and commitment to the issues of traffic safety and reducing accidents and fatalities more broadly.

Prior legislative history

2018: A.11386, referred to transportation.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediately.