Issues: DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles)

News From New York StateSenator Shirley L. HuntleyFor Immediate Release: December 23, 2011Contact: Antonio Rodriguez | arodrigu@nysenate.gov | (518) 455-3531

*PRESS RELEASE*

Senator Huntley Announces Agreement on New York City Taxi Legislation

Agreement Ensures Taxicab and Livery System is Accessible for Persons with Disabilities

ONEONTA, 10/07/11 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today announced he is co-sponsoring legislation requiring New York’s drivers to pass eye exams in order to renew their licenses. The legislation is in response to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles’ rash plan to eliminate the eye exam requirement.

“Operating a motor vehicle requires several skills starting with accurate eye sight,” said Senator Seward.  “Dropping the eye exam requirement for drivers is a roadmap to disaster and that is why I am co-sponsoring legislation (S.5904) that would guarantee this essential safety measure is not kicked to the curb.”

Senator Andrew Lanza and Assemblyman Michael Cusick have introduced legislation to require New York’s drivers to pass an eye exam in order to renew their licenses.

Ending requirement would have made NY highways less safe

State Senator Patty Ritchie is praising the Cuomo administration for its reported decision to overturn a DMV rule change that would have ended routine eye tests for New York drivers.

“New York has made tremendous gains in improving highway safety—and saving lives—by focusing on such problems as drunk and distracted driving, but those gains were put at risk by this plan to essentially let motorists play eye doctor and self-certify that their vision was good enough to be on the road,” said Senator Ritchie.

State Senator Mike Nozzolio today called on the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles to immediately abandon its plan to eliminate vision test requirements for drivers renewing their licenses. Senator Nozzolio was joined by Don Shepherd of Seneca Falls, a former Department of Transportation employee who nearly died from injuries he sustained when he was struck by a vision-impaired driver while doing construction in a work zone.

State Sen. Patty Ritchie (R,C-Heuvelton) joined Gov. Andrew Cuomo as he visited Northern New York to sign a new, tougher law to stop texting while driving.

The new law, which passed the Legislature unanimously and takes effect immediately, includes fines up to $150 and up to three violation points. The Governor signed the bill during a stop in Watertown Thursday.

Measure Cuts Taxes, Fees, Overregulation; Top Priority of NY Farmers

A bill that slashes red tape, taxes and fees on New York’s hardworking farmers—and is a top priority of the state’s farm communities—was today approved by the Senate Agriculture Committee and sent to the full Senate for action.

The “Farmers Regulatory Relief Act” (S.4340), sponsored by Senator Patty Ritchie, targets some of the most onerous taxes, fees and regulations that make it tougher for New York farmers to succeed.

“Family farmers are key to the economies of rural communities throughout New York, and helping agriculture thrive will provide a boost for our entire state economy,” said Sen. Ritchie, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee.