S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
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8063
2013-2014 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
June 17, 2013
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Introduced by M. of A. BOYLAND -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring
breathalyzer tests of drivers involved in accidents damaging other
vehicles from behind
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 603 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by
adding a new subdivision 3 to read as follows:
3. IN ADDITION TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION,
EVERY POLICE OFFICER OR JUDICIAL OFFICER TO WHOM AN ACCIDENT SHALL HAVE
BEEN REPORTED INVOLVING A VEHICLE WHICH IS HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER
VEHICLE SHALL IMMEDIATELY INVESTIGATE THE FACTS, OR CAUSE THE SAME TO BE
INVESTIGATED AND REPORT THE MATTER TO THE COMMISSIONER FORTHWITH,
PROVIDED THAT SUCH INVESTIGATION OF THE ACCIDENT SCENE SHALL ALSO
INCLUDE THE ADMINISTRATION OF FIELD SOBRIETY AND A CHEMICAL TEST OF
BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVER WHO HIT THE SECOND VEHI-
CLE FROM BEHIND. THE INVESTIGATING POLICE OFFICERS MUST INFORM THE DRIV-
ER OF SUCH TESTING REQUIREMENTS AND CONDUCT THEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED NINETY-FOUR OF THIS CHAPTER. THE
REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO SUCH TESTING SHALL CONSTITUTE A REBUTTABLE PRESUMP-
TION OF GUILT AND SUCH REFUSAL SHALL BE DOCUMENTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED NINETY-FOUR OF THIS CHAPTER. IF
PHYSICAL INJURIES DO NOT PERMIT SUCH CHEMICAL TESTING AT THE ACCIDENT
SCENE, SUCH TESTS MUST BE ADMINISTERED AT THE HOSPITAL. THE RESULTS OF
SUCH FIELD SOBRIETY AND CHEMICAL TESTS OR REFUSALS OF SUCH TESTS SHALL
BE INCLUDED IN THE POLICE INVESTIGATION REPORT. THE POLICE SHALL FORWARD
A COPY OF THE INVESTIGATION REPORT TO THE COMMISSIONER WITHIN FIVE BUSI-
NESS DAYS OF THE COMPLETION OF SUCH REPORT.
S 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall
have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11555-01-3