Senate Bill S3010

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S3010

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to
restrictions on the number of passengers under the age of twenty-one


 PURPOSE :

To reduce the number of potential distractions for novice drivers.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Amends section 501-b of the Vehicle and Traffic law to reduce the
number of eligible passengers that may be transported in a motor
vehicle by a class DJ or MJ permit or license holder. Such permit or
license holders may carry no more than one passenger who is under the
age of twenty-one and who is not a member of such holder's immediate
family, unless accompanied by a duly licensed parent, guardian, person
in a position of loco parentis, driver education teacher or driving
school instructor.

 EXISTING LAW :

Section 501-b of the Vehicle and Traffic law provides restrictions on
              

class DJ and class MJ learner's permits and licenses which include
prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle with more than two
passengers who are under the age of twenty-one and who are not members
of such holder's immediate family, unless accompanied by a duly
licensed parent, guardian, person in a position of loco parentis,
driver education teacher or driving school instructor.

 JUSTIFICATION :

Highway safety research indicates that the national crash rate for
teenagers is about four times higher than for adults, and traffic
crashes are the number one cause of death for teenagers.  Nationwide,
about 6,000 youths aged 16 to 20 die each year in traffic accidents.
Teens represent about 7% of the country's population, but constitute
approximately 17% of the victims of fatal crashes. The National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has indicated that these
high accident rates are not necessarily attributable to a lack either
of basic skills or knowledge of driving laws. The problem appears to
be more a function of the propensity of young drivers to take risks,
their belief that they are invincible, and their susceptibility to
peer pressure. This bill would reduce the number of passengers who may
contribute to these dangerous situations, while at the same time
reduce the number of potential victims should an accident occur.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

2008: S.8124 - Passed Senate

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
60th day after becoming law.