BILL NUMBER:A10071
TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation
to requiring that the five hour pre-licensing course include a motorcy-
cle safety and awareness component, and that the driver's license exam-
ination include two questions concerning motorcycle safety and awareness
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: This bill would amend the vehicle and
traffic law to require new driver's license applicants to receive educa-
tion in relation to motorcycle awareness and safety and answer two ques-
tions on the licensing exam in relation to this topic.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFICS PROVISIONS: Section 1 amends subparagraph (i) of
paragraph (a) of subdivision 4 of section 502 of the vehicle and traffic
law as amended by chapter 585 of the laws of 2002 to include motorcycle
safety and awareness instruction in the required classroom driver train-
ing. Additionally, this law is amended to include at least two written
questions concerning motorcycle safety and awareness and the potential
dangers to motorcyclists resulting from the unsafe behavior of a driver
or operation of a motor vehicle sharing the roadways with such motorcy-
clists.
JUSTIFICATION: As a result of studies relating to motorcycle crashes,
it is believed that the failure of motorists to detect and recognize
motorcycles in traffic is a leading cause of accidents. As a result,
this bill has been created to enhance the safety of motorcyclists who
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
10071
I N A S S E M B L Y
March 3, 2010
___________
Introduced by M. of A. HEASTIE -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring
that the five hour pre-licensing course include a motorcycle safety
and awareness component, and that the driver's license examination
include two questions concerning motorcycle safety and awareness
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) of subdivision 4 of
section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 585 of
the laws of 2002, is amended to read as follows:
(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 intoxicat-
ed, under the overpowering influence of "Road Rage", or "Work Zone Safe-
ty" awareness as defined by the commissioner, 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, MOTORCYCLE
SAFETY AND AWARENESS INSTRUCTION and highway safety instruction or the
equivalent thereof. Such test shall include at least seven written ques-
tions concerning the effects of consumption of alcohol or drugs on the
ability of a person to operate a motor vehicle and the legal and finan-
cial 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, threat-
ening 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
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
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