What's happening
This bill requires New York driver's pre-licensing courses and tests to include pedestrian and bicyclist safety instruction and awareness.
Why it matters
Addresses a major cause of road injuries and fatalities. By ensuring new drivers are specifically educated about pedestrian and bicyclist safety, the bill tackles the vulnerability of these groups on New York roads—potentially reducing crashes and saving lives.
Mandates comprehensive coverage of relevant laws and safe practices. The required curriculum will include legal obligations, such as yielding right-of-way, proper overtaking of bicycles, and safe driving near children, seniors, and people with disabilities. This ensures that new drivers are aware of the full spectrum of responsibilities they have toward non-motorists.
Requires expert input and current best practices. The development of the safety curriculum must involve transportation officials, law enforcement, medical professionals, and safety advocates. This collaborative approach should result in more effective, up-to-date training based on real-world risks and needs.
Improves instructor readiness and course materials. The law mandates updated training for instructors and new instructional handbooks, ensuring that those teaching and testing new drivers are equipped to convey these important safety concepts effectively.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Teach Driver Safety Around Pedestrians
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to transportation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 58–0
- Amended on third reading 5228c
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- Amended 5228b
- 1st report cal.498
- Referred to transportation
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to transportation
Show 7 earlier actions
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 58–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.682
- Reported and committed to rules
- Print number 5228a
- Amend and recommit 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.
Teach Drivers Road Safety
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Felix Ortiz
Full text
3 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5228--C Cal. No. 498
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
April 17, 2019
Introduced by Sens. GOUNARDES, MAY, MYRIE, RAMOS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee --… Show allHide
Introduced by Sens. GOUNARDES, MAY, MYRIE, RAMOS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- recommitted to the Committee on Transportation in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- reported favorably from said committee, ordered to first report, amended on first report, ordered to a second report and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of second report -- recommitted to the Committee on Transportation in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- reported favorably from said committee, ordered to second report, ordered to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring instruction in pedestrian and bicyclist safety as part of the drivers pre-licensing course
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraphs (a), (b) and (d) of subdivision 4 of section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law, paragraph (a) as amended by chapter 585 of the laws of 2002, subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) and paragraphs (b) and (d) as amended by chapter 513 of the laws of 2019, are amended and a new paragraph (c-5) is added to read as follows:
(a) (i) Upon submission of an application for a driver's license, the applicant shall be required to take and pass a test, or submit evidence of passage of a test, with respect to the laws relating to traffic, the laws relating to driving while ability is impaired and while intoxicated, under the overpowering influence of "Road Rage", "Work Zone Safety" awareness [and], "Motorcycle Safety" awareness and "Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety" awareness as defined by the commissioner, "School Bus Safety" awareness, the law relating to exercising due care to avoid colliding with a parked, stopped or standing authorized emergency vehi-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11203-10-0
S. 5228--C 2
cle or hazard vehicle pursuant to section eleven hundred forty-four-a of this chapter, the ability to read and comprehend traffic signs and symbols and such other matters as the commissioner may prescribe, and to satisfactorily complete a course prescribed by the commissioner of not less than four hours and not more than five hours, consisting of classroom driver training and highway safety instruction or the equivalent thereof. Such test shall include at least seven written questions concerning the effects of consumption of alcohol or drugs on the ability of a person to operate a motor vehicle and the legal and financial consequences resulting from violations of section eleven hundred ninety-two of this chapter, prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Such test shall include one or more written questions concerning the devastating effects of "Road Rage" on the ability of a person to operate a motor vehicle and the legal and financial consequences resulting from assaulting, threatening or interfering with the lawful conduct of another person legally using the roadway. Such test shall include one or more questions concerning the potential dangers to persons and equipment resulting from the unsafe operation of a motor vehicle in a work zone. Such test may include one or more questions concerning motorcycle safety. Such test may include one or more questions concerning the law for exercising due care to avoid colliding with a parked, stopped or standing vehicle pursuant to section eleven hundred forty-four-a of this chapter. Such test may include one or more questions concerning school bus safety. Such test shall include one or more questions concerning how to safely pass a bicyclist on the road and one or more questions concerning the dangers of motor vehicles to bicyclists and pedestrians and one or more questions concerning the law for exercising due care to avoid colliding with a bicyclist, pedestrian or domestic animal pursuant to section eleven hundred forty-six of this chapter. Such test shall be administered by the commissioner. The commissioner shall cause the applicant to take a vision test and a test for color blindness. Upon passage of the vision test, the application may be accepted and the application fee shall be payable.
(ii) The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations establishing eligibility standards for the taking and passing of knowledge tests in other than written form.
(b) Upon successful completion of the requirements set forth in paragraph (a) of this subdivision which shall include an alcohol and drug education component as described in paragraph (c) of this subdivision, a "Road Rage" awareness component as described in paragraph (c-1) of this subdivision [and], a "Work Zone Safety" awareness component as described in paragraph (c-2) of this subdivision, a "Motorcycle Safety" awareness component as described in paragraph (c-3) of this subdivision, [and] a "School Bus Safety" awareness component as described in paragraph (c-4) of this subdivision, and a "Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety" awareness component as described in paragraph (c-5) of this subdivision, the commissioner shall cause the applicant to take a road test in a representative vehicle of a type prescribed by the commissioner which shall be appropriate to the type of license for which application is made, except that the commissioner may waive the road test requirements for certain classes of applicants. The commissioner shall have the power to establish a program to allow persons other than employees of the department to conduct road tests in representative vehicles when such tests are required for applicants to obtain a class A, B or C license. If she chooses to do so, she shall set forth her reasons in writing and conduct
S. 5228--C 3
a public hearing on the matter. She shall only establish such a program after holding the public hearing.
(c-5) "Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety" awareness component. (i) The commissioner shall provide in the pre-licensing course, set forth in paragraph (b) of this subdivision, a mandatory component in "Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety" awareness education as a prerequisite for obtaining a license to operate a motor vehicle. The purpose of the component is to educate prospective licensees on the potential dangers to pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized vehicles created by motor vehicles.
(ii) The curriculum shall include, but shall not be limited to, an overview of traffic laws governing motor vehicle operators' duty to exercise due care with respect to pedestrians and bicyclists, including but not limited to understanding bicyclists' and pedestrians' needs and reduced visibility, respecting bicyclists' and pedestrians' rights of way, safe operation near bicyclists and pedestrians, including children and blind, deaf, elderly and disabled pedestrians, bicycle lanes as defined in section one hundred two-a of this chapter, safely overtaking a bicycle, the dangers of distracted driving, driving at appropriate reduced speeds when special hazards exist with respect to pedestrians or other weather or highway conditions, safely turning, stopping, standing, and parking, motor vehicle operators' obligations to comply with article twenty-two of this chapter, and traffic control devices and markings related to bicyclists and pedestrians.
(iii) In developing such curriculum, the commissioner shall consult with the commissioner of transportation, the superintendent of the state police, the commissioners of transportation and police of the city of New York, medical professionals and bicycle and pedestrian safety advocates.
(d) The commissioner shall make available for distribution upon registration at each location where the pre-licensing course will be given, instructional handbooks outlining the content of the entire curriculum of the pre-licensing course including the information required to be included in the course pursuant to paragraphs (c), (c-1), (c-2), (c-3) [and], (c-4) and (c-5) of this subdivision. The commissioner shall also provide for the additional training of the instructors necessary for the competent instruction of the alcohol and drug education, "Road Rage" awareness, "Work Zone Safety" awareness, "Motorcycle Safety" awareness [and], "School Bus Safety" awareness and "Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety" awareness subject matters of the pre-licensing course.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that if chapter 513 of the laws of 2019 shall not have taken effect on or before such date then section one of this act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as such chapter of the laws of 2019 takes effect.
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 requiring instruction in pedestrian and bicyclist safety as part of the drivers pre-licensing course
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill will require new drivers to learn about pedestrian and bicy- clist safety awareness as a component of the pre-licensing exam and as a prerequisite for obtaining a license to operate a motor vehicle.
Summary of provisions
Section one of the bill amends Section 502 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding laws related to pedestrian and bicyclist safety awareness to the eligible topics that applicants for a driver's license can be tested on during their written examination for a driver's license. The Section also requires for at least three questions to be included on the examination related to how to safely pass a bicyclist on the road, the dangers of motor vehicles to bicyclists and pedestrians and the law for exercising due care to avoid colliding with a bicyclist, pedestrian or domestic animal.
The section also adds a new paragraph, (c-5), which makes pedestrian and bicyclist safety awareness a mandatory component of the pre-licensing course for applicants for a driver's license. The added curriculum to the pre-licensing course will include an overview of traffic laws governing motor vehicle operators' duty to exercise due care with respect to pedestrians and bicyclists. The Commissioner of the Depart- ment of Motor Vehicles will consult with the Commissioner of Transporta- tion, the Superintendent of the State Police, the Commissioners of Transportation and Police of the City of New York, medical professions and bicycle and pedestrian safety advocates when developing the new curriculum.
Finally, the section requires pedestrian and bicyclist safety awareness to be added to the DMV instruction handbook.
Section two of the bill provides the effective date as one hundred eighty days after it shall have become a law.
Existing law
Currently pedestrian and bicyclist safety awareness education is not required to become a licensed motor vehicle operator in the State of New York.
Justification
The statistics surrounding pedestrian and bicyclist safety in the City of New York are alarming. This bill will enhance the safety of those who travel with the expectation of being treated equally on the road and being able to travel safely in our State. Furthermore, the bill will educate drivers about the dangers faced by cyclists and pedestrians and will create a thoughtful road culture going forward - so that all can travel with the smallest possibility of being put in danger or harmed. It is the legislature's responsibility to mitigate the risks faced by those who live or travel in our State.
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.