What's happening
This bill increases penalties for leaving the scene of an incident involving a wheeled non-motorized vehicle, making violations misdemeanors or felonies.
Why it matters
Significantly increases legal consequences. for leaving the scene of incidents involving bicycles, skateboards, scooters, and similar non-motorized vehicles, raising the stakes for those who fail to stop and report.
Elevates the seriousness of certain offenses. what was previously a minor violation or a lower-level misdemeanor can now be charged as a higher-level misdemeanor or even a felony, which can impact criminal records, employment opportunities, and future sentencing.
May serve as a deterrent. to hit-and-run behavior involving non-motorized vehicles, aiming to encourage accountability and potentially improve safety for cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
Reflects a growing recognition. of the risks and harms associated with incidents involving non-motorized vehicles, treating them with a level of seriousness closer to motor vehicle incidents in the eyes of the law.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Tougher Hit-and-Run Penalties
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Tougher Hit-and-Run Penalties
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Deborah Glick
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
39
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. HOYLMAN -- 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 increasing the penalties for leaving the scene of an incident involving a wheeled non-motorized means of conveyance
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 1240 of the vehicle and traffic law, as added by chapter 468 of the laws of 2001, is amended to read as follows:
2. Leaving the scene of an incident involving a wheeled non-motorized means of conveyance without reporting in the second degree is a [violation] class A misdemeanor.
§ 2. Subdivision 2 of section 1241 of the vehicle and traffic law, as added by chapter 468 of the laws of 2001, is amended to read as follows:
2. Leaving the scene of an incident involving a wheeled non-motorized means of conveyance without reporting in the first degree is a class [B misdemeanor] E felony.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03247-01-9
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 increasing the penalties for leaving the scene of an inci- dent involving a wheeled non-motorized means of conveyance
Purpose or general idea of bill
This legislation would make the penalties for leaving the scene of a bicycle crash consistent with the penalties for leaving the scene of an automobile crash.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends subdivision 2 of section 1240 of the vehi- cle and traffic law to make leaving the scene of an incident involving a wheeled non-motorized means of conveyance without reporting in the second degree a class A misdemeanor.
Section 2 of the bill amends subdivision 2 of section 1241 of the vehi- cle and traffic law to make leaving the scene of an incident involving a wheeled non-motorized means of conveyance without reporting in the first degree a class E felony.
Section 3 of the bill provides that the act shall take effect immediate- ly.
Justification
There have been Several recent incidents in New York State of bicyclists hitting and seriously injuring a pedestrian, and then fleeing the scene of the crash without reporting. Although bicycles don't travel as fast or weigh nearly as much as automobiles, they still certainly have the capability to knock a pedestrian down and cause serious injury, includ- ing lacerations, broken bones, or head trauma.
Our current penalties for leaving the scene of an automobile crash are based upon the seriousness of the injury inflicted upon the injured party. Accordingly, it is appropriate that bicycle crashes are held to the same standard as automobile crashes. Although bicycle crashes are often not as injurious as automobile crashes, in the cases where they are, the offending party should be properly held accountable for their actions in the event that they flee the scene.
Prior legislative history
S.0038 of 2017-2018 (Hoylman): Died in Transportation A.8438 of 2017-2018 (Glick):Died in Transportation S.5531 of 2015-2016 (Hoylman):Died in Transportation
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
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.