Senate Bill S3671

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S3671

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the use of
seatbelts by volunteer firefighters


 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF THE BILL :

To require emergency vehicles to comply with requirements relating to
use of seatbelts.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 of the bill adds a new subdivision 14 to § 1229-c of the
Vehicle & Traffic Law to require volunteer firefighters and emergency
service personnel to utilize seatbelts unless they are administering
medical treatment to a patient in the rear compartment of an
ambulance.

Section 2 of the bill is the effective date.

 JUSTIFICATION :

In 1984, NYS adopted § 1229-c of the NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law. This
              

law sets forth the rules for operation of vehicles that have safety or
seat belts. In general, this law requires operators and passengers of
"motor vehicles" to be restrained by safety belts. However, certain
vehicles are exempt from the law's requirements. Under §1229-c,
"authorized emergency vehicles" are exempt from the definition of the
term "motor vehicle". These vehicles were excluded from the
requirements of § 1229-c since the operators of these vehicles needed
the ability to perform their duties in an unhampered fashion. The term
"authorized emergency vehicle" is defined under §101 of the Vehicle &
Traffic Law and is defined to include fire and ambulance vehicles. As
a result, fire and ambulance vehicles are exempt from the requirement
to use safety or seat belts.

Use of seat belts promotes safety and saves lives. Since buckling a
seat belt takes just a few seconds, fire and ambulance vehicles should
be required to use them. This bill is strongly supported by the
Fireman's Association of the State of New York.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

2008: S.7478 Transportation Committee

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.