S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
1375
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 15, 2019
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Introduced by M. of A. SANTABARBARA -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the opera-
tion of vehicles on approach of vehicles displaying a blue light
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 1144 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by
chapter 300 of the laws of 1960 and subdivision (a) as amended by chap-
ter 606 of the laws of 1994, is amended to read as follows:
§ 1144. Operation of vehicles on approach of authorized emergency
vehicles OR VEHICLES DISPLAYING A BLUE LIGHT. (a) Upon the immediate
approach of an authorized emergency vehicle equipped with at least one
lighted lamp exhibiting red light visible under normal atmospheric
conditions from a distance of five hundred feet to the front of such
vehicle other than a police vehicle or bicycle when operated as an
authorized emergency vehicle, and when audible signals are sounded from
any said vehicle by siren, exhaust whistle, bell, air-horn or electronic
equivalent OR UPON THE IMMEDIATE APPROACH OF A VEHICLE DISPLAYING A BLUE
LIGHT PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH FOUR OF SUBDIVISION
FORTY-ONE OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE OF THIS CHAPTER; the
driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right of way and shall
immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to
the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway, or to either edge of a one-
way roadway three or more lanes in width, clear of any intersection, and
shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency
vehicle OR SUCH VEHICLE DISPLAYING A BLUE LIGHT has passed, unless
otherwise directed by a police officer.
(b) This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an author-
ized emergency vehicle OR THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE DISPLAYING A BLUE
LIGHT PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH FOUR OF SUBDIVISION
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06361-01-9
A. 1375 2
FORTY-ONE OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE OF THIS CHAPTER from the
duty to drive with reasonable care for all persons using the highway.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
have become a law.