S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
2587
2011-2012 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 19, 2011
___________
Introduced by M. of A. HEASTIE, DenDEKKER, JAFFEE, COLTON, WEISENBERG,
JEFFRIES, CAHILL, LUPARDO, MILLMAN, GIBSON, CASTRO, GABRYSZAK, HOOPER,
TITUS -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. AMEDORE, BOYLAND, COOK, CRES-
PO, CROUCH, FINCH, GIGLIO, MARKEY, MENG, MONTESANO, NOLAN, PHEFFER,
REILLY, SALADINO, TEDISCO, TOBACCO -- read once and referred to the
Committee 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 387 of
the laws of 2010, 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 law relating to exer-
cising due care to avoid colliding with a parked, stopped or standing
authorized emergency vehicle pursuant to section eleven hundred forty-
four-a of this chapter, 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 questions concerning the effects of
consumption of alcohol or drugs on the ability of a person to operate a
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02181-01-1
A. 2587 2
motor vehicle and the legal and financial consequences resulting from
violations of section eleven hundred ninety-two of this chapter, prohib-
iting 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 conse-
quences resulting from assaulting, threatening 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 the unsafe operation of a motor
vehicle in a work zone. SUCH TEST SHALL 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. Such test may include one or more questions concerning the law
for exercising due care to avoid colliding with a parked, stopped or
standing authorized emergency vehicle pursuant to section eleven hundred
forty-four-a of this chapter. Such test shall be administered by the
commissioner. The commissioner shall cause the applicant to take a
vision test and a test for color blindness. Upon passage of the vision
test, the application may be accepted and the application fee shall be
payable.
S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.