NY State Senate Bill 2009-S5593

Senate Bill S5593

Signed By Governor

2009-2010 Legislative Session

Allows fire vehicles to display a combination of red, white and/or blue lights for rear projection only

download bill text pdf

Archive: Last Bill Status - Signed by Governor

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Aug 30, 2010	signed chap.465
Aug 18, 2010	delivered to governor
Jun 29, 2010	returned to senate passed assembly ordered to third reading rules cal.436 substituted for a8470a
Jun 15, 2010	referred to transportation delivered to assembly passed senate
Jun 10, 2010	advanced to third reading
Jun 09, 2010	2nd report cal.
Jun 08, 2010	1st report cal.836
May 20, 2010	print number 5593a
May 20, 2010	amend (t) and recommit to codes
Apr 13, 2010	reported and committed to codes
Jan 06, 2010	referred to transportation
Jun 02, 2009	reported and committed to codes
May 20, 2009	referred to transportation

Votes

- Jun 15, 2010 - Floor Vote
  S5593
  
  61
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  1
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Floor Vote: Jun 15, 2010
      
      aye (61)
      
      Adams
      
      Addabbo Jr.
      
      Alesi
      
      Aubertine
      
      Bonacic
      
      Breslin
      
      DeFrancisco
      
      Diaz
      
      Dilan
      
      Duane
      
      Espada
      
      Farley
      
      Flanagan
      
      Foley
      
      Fuschillo
      
      Golden
      
      Griffo
      
      Hannon
      
      Hassell-Thompson
      
      Huntley
      
      Johnson
      
      Johnson
      
      Klein
      
      Krueger
      
      Kruger
      
      LaValle
      
      Lanza
      
      Larkin
      
      Leibell
      
      Libous
      
      Little
      
      Marcellino
      
      Maziarz
      
      McDonald
      
      Montgomery
      
      Nozzolio
      
      Onorato
      
      Oppenheimer
      
      Padavan
      
      Parker
      
      Peralta
      
      Perkins
      
      Ranzenhofer
      
      Robach
      
      Saland
      
      Sampson
      
      Savino
      
      Schneiderman
      
      Serrano
      
      Seward
      
      Skelos
      
      Smith
      
      Squadron
      
      Stachowski
      
      Stavisky
      
      Stewart-Cousins
      
      Thompson
      
      Valesky
      
      Volker
      
      Winner
      
      Young
      
      excused (1)
      
      Morahan
  Jun 8, 2010 - Codes Committee Vote
  S5593
  
  16
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Codes Committee Vote: Jun 8, 2010
      
      aye (16)
      
      Bonacic
      
      Breslin
      
      DeFrancisco
      
      Duane
      
      Flanagan
      
      Golden
      
      Huntley
      
      Klein
      
      Lanza
      
      Parker
      
      Perkins
      
      Saland
      
      Sampson
      
      Schneiderman
      
      Squadron
      
      Volker

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

2009-S5593 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A8470
Law Section:: Vehicle and Traffic Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §§1180 & 375, V & T L
Versions Introduced in 2009-2010 Legislative Session:: S5593, A8470

2009-S5593 - Summary

Requires drivers to reduce their speed when approaching emergency vehicles displaying blue lights and expands the use of the blue light for rear projection for all volunteer emergency response vehicles.

2009-S5593 - Sponsor Memo

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S5593

 TITLE OF BILL :
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring
drivers to reduce their speed when approaching emergency vehicles
displaying blue lights and expanding the use of the blue light for
rear projection for all volunteer emergency response vehicles


 PURPOSE :
To protect volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders by
requiring motorist to reduce speed when approaching and passing
emergency situations on a highway and also to allow for the use of the
blue light for rear projection for all volunteer emergency response
vehicles.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :
Section 1. subdivision (e) of section 1180 of the vehicle and traffic
law, as amended by chapter 211 of the laws of 2004 is amended by this
legislation to require drivers to drive at an appropriate reduced
speed when approaching and passing an emergency situation involving
any authorized emergency vehicle displaying a blue light or one or
more red or combination red, white or blue lights.

Section 2. paragraph 4 of subdivision 41 of section 375 of the vehicle
and traffic law, as amended by chapter 45 of the laws of 2006 is

amended to allow a blue light to be affixed to any motor vehicle owned
by a volunteer member of a fire department provided that the volunteer
firefighter has been authorized in writing to do so by the chief of
the fire department of company of which he/she is a member.

The term "fire vehicle" is defined to include a vehicle ordinarily
operated by a chief or assistant chief of a volunteer company or fire
department.

Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.

 JUSTIFICATION :
Volunteer firefights and other emergency responders regularly attend
to emergency incidents on state's highways.  Performing emergency
duties on the side of the road presents significant risks to emergency
responders. Unfortunately, in these situations, many emergency
responders (including volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers)
are killed or injured as a result of being struck by a passing
motorist. Studies have shown that the blue light is the most
noticeable colored light, and as a result, provides the highest level
of safety.

Current law allows for one or more blue lights or combination of blue,
red and/or white lights to be affixed to a police vehicle provided
that they are displayed for rear projection only. Volunteer firefights
have long had the exclusive use of one blue light that was affixed to
a to motor vehicle owned by a volunteer member of a fire department or
on a motor vehicle owned by a member of such person's family. The
light was allowed to be displayed or projected in 360 degree fashion.
Use of the light was prohibited in combination with red lights on all
fire vehicles.

Studies conducted by Ford Motor Company and the Florida Highway
Patrol, clearly indicated that the perception-decision-response
process in driving, especially at night favored the blue light over
other colors particularly when approaching from the rear. This bill
would extend the perceptual advantage attributed to the blue light in
certain circumstances, now enjoyed by police vehicles, to all
volunteer emergency vehicles. It allows the blue light use for rear
projection purposed and leaves in place the exclusive use of the blue
light by volunteers on personal vehicles to be projected in 360 degree
fashion.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
New bill.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
Immediately.

2009-S5593 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  5593

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                              May 20, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced by Sen. AUBERTINE -- 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 requiring
  drivers to reduce their  speed  when  approaching  emergency  vehicles
  displaying  blue  lights  and  expanding the use of the blue light for
  rear projection for all volunteer emergency response vehicles

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1. Subdivision (e) of section 1180 of the vehicle and traffic
law, as amended by chapter 211 of the laws of 2004, is amended  to  read
as follows:
  (e)  The  driver  of every vehicle shall, consistent with the require-
ments of subdivision (a)  of  this  section,  drive  at  an  appropriate
reduced  speed  when approaching and crossing an intersection or railway
grade  crossing,  when  approaching  and  going  around  a  curve,  when
approaching  a  hill crest, when approaching and passing by an emergency
situation involving any authorized emergency vehicle  which  is  parked,
stopped or standing on a highway and which is displaying A BLUE LIGHT OR
one  or  more  red  or  combination red [and], white, AND/OR BLUE lights
pursuant to the provisions of [paragraph] PARAGRAPHS  two  AND  FOUR  of
subdivision  forty-one  of  section  three  hundred seventy-five of this
chapter, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, and when any
special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians, or other  traffic  by
reason of weather or highway conditions, including, but not limited to a
highway construction or maintenance work area.
  S  2.  Paragraph 4 of subdivision 41 of section 375 of the vehicle and
traffic law, as amended by chapter 45 of the laws of 2006, is amended to
read as follows:
  4. Blue light. a. One blue light may be affixed to any  motor  vehicle
owned  by  a volunteer member of a fire department or on a motor vehicle
owned by a member of such person's family residing in the same household

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD11327-01-9

S. 5593                             2

or by a business enterprise in  which  such  person  has  a  proprietary
interest  or  by  which  he  or she is employed, provided such volunteer
firefighter has been authorized in writing to so affix a blue  light  by
the  chief  of  the  fire  department or company of which he or she is a
member, which authorization shall be subject to revocation at  any  time
by the chief who issued the same or his or her successor in office. Such
blue light may be displayed exclusively by such volunteer firefighter on
such  a  vehicle only when engaged in an emergency operation. The use of
blue and red light combinations shall be prohibited on all fire vehicles
EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR IN SUBPARAGRAPH B  OF  THIS  PARAGRAPH.
The  use of blue lights on fire vehicles shall be prohibited and the use
of blue lights on vehicles shall be restricted for use only by a  volun-
teer  firefighter  except as otherwise provided for in subparagraph b of
this paragraph.
  b. In addition to the red and white lights authorized to be  displayed
pursuant  to  paragraph two of this subdivision, one or more blue lights
or combination blue and red lights or combination blue,  red  and  white
lights  may  be  affixed to a police OR FIRE vehicle, provided that such
blue light or lights shall be displayed on a police OR FIRE vehicle  for
rear  projection  only.  In  the  event that the trunk or rear gate of a
police OR FIRE vehicle obstructs or diminishes the visibility  of  other
emergency  lighting  on such vehicle, a blue light may be affixed to and
displayed from the trunk, rear gate or interior of  such  vehicle.  Such
lights may be displayed on a police OR FIRE vehicle when such vehicle is
engaged  in  an  emergency operation. Nothing contained in this subpara-
graph shall be deemed to authorize the use of blue lights on  police  OR
FIRE  vehicles  unless  such  vehicles  also  display one or more red or
combination red and white lights as otherwise authorized in this  subdi-
vision.
  c.  The commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations
relating to the use, placement, power and display of blue  lights  on  a
police OR FIRE vehicle.
  D.  FOR  THE PURPOSES OF THIS PARAGRAPH, THE TERM "FIRE VEHICLE" SHALL
INCLUDE A VEHICLE ORDINARILY OPERATED BY A CHIEF OR ASSISTANT CHIEF OF A
VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY OR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
  S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.

2009-S5593A (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A8470
Law Section:: Vehicle and Traffic Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §§1180 & 375, V & T L
Versions Introduced in 2009-2010 Legislative Session:: S5593, A8470

2009-S5593A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2009-S5593A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:S5593A

TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to allowing
fire vehicles to display a combination of red, white and/or blue lights
for rear projection only

PURPOSE:
To protect volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders by
requiring motorists to reduce speed when approaching and passing emer-
gency situations on a highway and also to allow for the use of the blue
light for rear projection for all volunteer emergency response vehicles.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Subdivision (e) of section 1180 of the vehicle and traffic
law, as amended by chapter 211 of the laws of 2004 is amended by this
legislation to require drivers to drive at an appropriate reduced speed
when approaching and passing an emergency situation involving any
authorized emergency vehicle displaying a blue light or one or more red
or combination red, white or blue lights.

Section 2. Paragraph 4 of subdivision 41 of section 375 of the vehicle
and traffic law, as amended by chapter 45 of the laws of 2006 is amended
to allow a blue light to be affixed to any motor vehicle owned by a
volunteer member of a fire department provided that the volunteer fire-
fighter has been authorized, in writing, to do so by the chief of the

fire department or company of which he/she is a member.

The term "fire vehicle" is defined to include a vehicle ordinarily oper-
ated by a chief or assistant chief of a volunteer company or fire
department.

Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.

JUSTIFICATION:
Volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders regularly attend
to emergency incidents on state's highways.  Performing emergency duties
on the side of the road presents significant risks to emergency respon-
ders. Unfortunately, in these situations, many emergency responders
(including volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers) are killed or
injured as a result of being struck by a passing motorist. Studies have
shown that the blue light is the most noticeable colored light, and as a
result, provides the highest level of safety.

Current law allows for one or more blue lights or combination of blue,
red and/or white lights to be affixed to a police vehicle provided that
they are displayed for rear projection only. Volunteer firefighters have
long had the exclusive use of one blue light that was affixed to a motor
vehicle owned by a volunteer member of a fire department or on a motor
vehicle owned by a member of such person's family. The light was allowed

to be displayed or projected in 360 degree fashion. Use of the light was
prohibited in combination with red lights on all fire vehicles.

Studies conducted by Ford Motor Company and the Florida Highway Patrol,
clearly indicated that the perception-decision-response process in driv-
ing, especially at night favored the blue light over other colors
particularly when approaching from the rear. This bill would extend the
perceptual advantage attributed to the blue light in certain circum-
stances, now enjoyed by police vehicles, to all volunteer emergency
vehicles. It allows the blue light use for rear projection purposes and
leaves in place the exclusive use of the blue light by volunteers on
personal vehicles to be projected in 360 degree fashion.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

2009-S5593A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 5593--A

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                              May 20, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced by Sen. AUBERTINE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
  printed  to  be committed to the Committee on Transportation -- recom-
  mitted to the Committee on Transportation in  accordance  with  Senate
  Rule 6, sec. 8 -- reported favorably from said committee and committed
  to  the  Committee  on  Codes  --  committee discharged, bill amended,
  ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee

AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law,  in  relation  to  allowing
  fire  vehicles  to  display  a  combination  of red, white and/or blue
  lights for rear projection only

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1. Subdivision (e) of section 1180 of the vehicle and traffic
law, as amended by chapter 211 of the laws of 2004, is amended  to  read
as follows:
  (e)  The  driver  of every vehicle shall, consistent with the require-
ments of subdivision (a)  of  this  section,  drive  at  an  appropriate
reduced  speed  when approaching and crossing an intersection or railway
grade  crossing,  when  approaching  and  going  around  a  curve,  when
approaching  a  hill crest, when approaching and passing by an emergency
situation involving any authorized emergency vehicle  which  is  parked,
stopped or standing on a highway and which is displaying one or more red
or  combination  red  [and],  white,  AND/OR BLUE lights pursuant to the
provisions of paragraph two AND SUBPARAGRAPH  B  OF  PARAGRAPH  FOUR  of
subdivision  forty-one  of  section  three  hundred seventy-five of this
chapter, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, and when any
special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians, or other  traffic  by
reason of weather or highway conditions, including, but not limited to a
highway construction or maintenance work area.
  S  2.  Paragraph 4 of subdivision 41 of section 375 of the vehicle and
traffic law, as amended by chapter 45 of the laws of 2006, is amended to
read as follows:

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD11327-04-0

S. 5593--A                          2

  4. Blue light. a. One blue light may be affixed to any  motor  vehicle
owned  by  a volunteer member of a fire department or on a motor vehicle
owned by a member of such person's family residing in the same household
or by a business enterprise in  which  such  person  has  a  proprietary
interest  or  by  which  he  or she is employed, provided such volunteer
firefighter has been authorized in writing to so affix a blue  light  by
the  chief  of  the  fire  department or company of which he or she is a
member, which authorization shall be subject to revocation at  any  time
by the chief who issued the same or his or her successor in office. Such
blue light may be displayed exclusively by such volunteer firefighter on
such  a vehicle only when engaged in an emergency operation. The [use of
blue and red light combinations shall be prohibited on  all  fire  vehi-
cles.    The use of blue lights on fire vehicles shall be prohibited and
the] use of blue lights on vehicles shall be restricted for use only  by
a volunteer firefighter except as otherwise provided for in subparagraph
b of this paragraph.
  b.  In addition to the red and white lights authorized to be displayed
pursuant to paragraph two of this subdivision, one or more  blue  lights
or  combination  blue  and red lights or combination blue, red and white
lights may be affixed to a police VEHICLE  AND  FIRE  vehicle,  provided
that  such  blue  light or lights shall be displayed on a police VEHICLE
AND FIRE vehicle for rear projection only. In the event that  the  trunk
or  rear  gate  of a police VEHICLE AND FIRE vehicle obstructs or dimin-
ishes the visibility of other emergency lighting on such [vehicle] VEHI-
CLES, a blue light may be affixed to and displayed from the trunk,  rear
gate  or  interior  of  such  [vehicle]  VEHICLES.  Such  lights  may be
displayed on a police VEHICLE AND FIRE vehicle when  such  [vehicle  is]
VEHICLES  ARE  engaged  in  an emergency operation. Nothing contained in
this subparagraph shall be deemed to authorize the use of blue lights on
police VEHICLES AND FIRE vehicles unless such vehicles also display  one
or  more red or combination red and white lights as otherwise authorized
in this subdivision.
  c. The commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules and  regulations
relating  to  the  use, placement, power and display of blue lights on a
police VEHICLE AND FIRE vehicle.
  S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.

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