Senate Bill S1494

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S1494

SPONSOR: FAHY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act in relation to penalties for striking a pedestrian crossing a
street while operating a motor vehicle

 
PURPOSE:

Increase penalty for striking a pedestrian to five points on one's driv-
ing record

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Directs the commissioner of the department of motor vehicles
to increase the points assessed to one's a driving record to five for
the act of striking a pedestrian with a motor vehicle.

Section 2: Set the effective date

 
              

JUSTIFICATION:

In February of 2019, the Governors Highway Safety Association reported
that pedestrian traffic fatalities in the United States are at their
highest level since 1990, with more than 6,200 pedestrians killed in
traffic accidents nationwide. This marks a 41% increase from 2008, mean-
ing that pedestrian fatalities now account for 14% of all traffic fatal-
ities. Researchers attribute this to a rise in the popularity of SUVs
and the increase of smartphone distracted driving.

In New York, the State's traffic code can make accidents with pedestrian
injuries difficult to enforce. Currently, one can only be charged with a
violation for striking a pedestrian if the incident is witnessed by a
law enforcement officer. A guilty plea in this case will add just two
additional points to an individual's driving record. Recognizing the
limitations of current traffic code in preventing these accidents, this
bill locks to levy greater consequences on those who are found guilty of
striking a pedestrian.

Making the consequences of striking a pedestrian more stringent will
encourage drivers to be mindful of pedestrians in heavily trafficked
areas.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

A6455 of 2019-20 A3333 of 2021-22

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately