Senate Bill S9312

2025-2026 Legislative Session

Establishes temporary reduced speeds on the New York state thruway in certain weather conditions and requires instruction in winter weather conditions safety as part of the drivers pre-licensing course

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Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Transportation Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Feb 27, 2026	referred to transportation

2025-S9312 (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Transportation
Law Section:: Vehicle and Traffic Law
Laws Affected:: Add §1183, amd §502, V & T L; add §361-e, Pub Auth L

2025-S9312 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Establishes a temporary reduced speed limit of forty-five miles per hour on the New York state thruway in certain winter weather conditions; creates penalties for violating such reduced speed limit; requires instruction in winter weather conditions safety as part of the drivers pre-licensing course.

2025-S9312 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S9312

SPONSOR: BORRELLO
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the public authorities
law, in relation to establishing temporary reduced speeds on the New
York state thruway in certain weather conditions and requiring instruc-
tion in winter weather conditions safety as part of the drivers pre-li-
censing course

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The bill establishes temporary reduced speeds on the New York state
thruway in certain weather conditions and requires instruction in winter
weather conditions safety as part of the drivers pre-licensing course.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: The New York state thruway authority shall establish a tempo-
rary reduced maximum speed limit of forty-five miles per hour on the
thruway in the event that: a snow and ice accumulation on the thruway

reaches or exceeds three inches and such accumulation has not been fully
cleared by snow and ice removal operations; or the New York state thru-
way authority and the department of transportation, determines that
weather or thruway conditions are unsafe at the prescribed speed limit
of sixty-five miles per hour, but such weather or thruway conditions do
not warrant a full closure of the thruway.

Such temporary reduced maximum speed limit shall remain in effect until:
snow and ice removal operations have cleared the thruway to safe condi-
tions; and the New York state thruway authority and the department of
transportation jointly certify that safe conditions have been restored
and the maximum speed limit of sixty-five miles per hour can be rein-
stated.

A violation shall be punishable by a fine of two hundred fifty dollars
and a penalty in the form of four points against such violator's driving
record. The penalties shall apply in addition to ant penalties imposed
for reckless driving or the failure to comply with traffic control indi-
cations.

Section 2: The authority shall transmit temporary reduced speed limit
notifications to operators of motor vehicles on the thruway. Such
notifications shall be provided through: variable message signs; the
authority's website and mobile application; department traveler advisory
systems; and local government alert systems for residents affected by
the temporary reduced speed limit.

Section 3: Upon submission of an application for a driver's license, the
applicant shall be required to take and pass a test. Such test may
include one or more questions concerning the operation of a motor vehi-
cle in winter weather conditions.

"Winter Weather Safety" awareness component. The commissioner shall
provide in the pre-licensing course a mandatory component in "Winter
Weather Safety" awareness education as a prerequisite for obtaining a
license to operate a motor vehicle. The purpose of such component shall
be to educate prospective licensees on the operation of motor vehicles
during winter weather conditions. The curriculum shall include, but
shall not be limited to: safe braking and stopping distances in snow and
ice; the proper usage of headlights and hazard lights; procedures for
maintaining control of a vehicle in a skid; the dangers of black ice and
reduced visibility; winter tire and equipment awareness; and the compre-
hension of and compliance with temporary reduced speed limits. The
commissioner shall consult with transportation safety experts, law
enforcement agencies, driving instructors, and the New York state thru-
way authority. The commissioner shall also provide additional training
for instructors on "Winter Weather Safety" awareness.

Section 4: This act shall take effect one year after it shall have
become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
on or before such effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

New York's winter weather has become increasingly dangerous, with sudden
snow squalls, flash freezing, and rapidly collapsing visibility creating
extremely hazardous conditions on the New York State Thruway. Recent
events demonstrate that current speed regulations and driver-prepared-
ness requirements are not sufficient to protect motorists during severe
winter weather.

On January 29, 2026, a massive weather-related pileup occurred on the
New York State Thruway (1-90) near Exit 48 in Batavia, involving approx-
imately 45 to 50 vehicles, including passenger cars and tractor-trail-
ers. The crash unfolded during a sudden snow squall that created white-
out conditions and left the roadway icy and treacherous, causing
multiple collisions in both the westbound and eastbound lanes. Witnesses
described a chaotic scene, with cars jammed under semis and several
vehicles overturned. Despite the scale of the wreckage, injuries were
limited to non-life-threatening cases, with six individuals transported
to local hospitals. Both directions of the Thruway were temporarily shut
down, westbound traffic diverted at Exit 48 and eastbound at Exit 48A,
while emergency crews, state police, fire departments, and tow operators
worked for hours to clear the highway. All lanes reopened by the morning
of January 30 as authorities continued investigating the series of
weather-driven crashes.

Just nine days earlier, on January 20, 2026, a severe 60-vehicle pileup
occurred on the Thruway's westbound lanes near Exit 59 in Fredonia.
Spanning approximately six miles and involving both commercial and
passenger vehicles, the incident took place during an intense lake-ef-
fect snowstorm that produced sudden whiteout conditions within minutes.
These rapidly deteriorating conditions left drivers unable to see or
react, resulting in widespread collisions. Despite extensive vehicle
damage, including multiple jackknifed tractor-trailers, heavily mangled
passenger vehicles, and traffic backed up in both directions, there were
no fatalities.  Several individuals were transported to area hospitals
with non-life-threatening injuries.

Emergency response efforts in Fredonia were significantly impeded by
blocked shoulders and immobilized traffic. First responders were forced
to proceed on foot, moving vehicle-to-vehicle to conduct triage and
assess injured motorists under extreme weather conditions.  The scale of
the incident required extensive mutual aid, including multiple fire
departments, EMS agencies, and county emergency-services teams working
in coordination to stabilize the scene and maintain emergency coverage
throughout the region.  Westbound traffic was diverted at Exit 57, and
the incident occurred amid active travel advisories and heavy snow
affecting Fredonia, Dunkirk, and surrounding communities. Officials
later emphasized that the storm's rapid development and highly localized
intensity posed major challenges for real-time roadway management.

These back-to-back mass-collision events reveal a significant gap in how
New York manages winter-weather speed controls. While the Thruway
Authority does have authority to impose temporary reduced speed limits,
state law provides almost no statutory detail or standards on when speed
reductions should be applied, how low they should be set, or under what
conditions they must be enforced. This lack of clarity leads to incon-
sistent application across regions and delays in lowering speeds during
rapidly deteriorating weather, making chain-reaction crashes more like-
ly.

This legislation addresses that gap by establishing a clear, uniform,
and enforceable 45-mph temporary speed limit during hazardous winter
conditions. By codifying a specific threshold, the bill enhances compli-
ance, supports timely implementation, and aligns with proven strategies
that reduce both the severity and frequency of multi-vehicle collisions.

At the same time, many drivers, especially new drivers, lack formal
training on how to safely operate a vehicle in winter conditions. The
bill's requirement for a Winter Weather Safety component in the pre-li-
censing course ensures that all new drivers receive consistent instruc-
tion on essential skills such as braking on ice, skid recovery, black-
ice awareness, proper use of headlights and hazard signals, and
adherence to temporary speed reductions. In a state where severe winter
hazards are routine, this training is not optional, it is essential.

Together, these provisions strengthen existing authority, reduce
winter-related crashes, protect motorists, and support first responders
who face heightened risks during large-scale pileups. The recent crashes
in Batavia and Fredonia underscore the urgent need for clear statutory
direction and the life-saving impact this legislation will have.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2025: New Bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately

2025-S9312 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   9312
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 27, 2026
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by Sen. BORRELLO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
 
 AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the  public  authorities
   law,  in  relation to establishing temporary reduced speeds on the New
   York  state  thruway  in  certain  weather  conditions  and  requiring
   instruction in winter weather conditions safety as part of the drivers
   pre-licensing course
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is  amended  by  adding  a  new
 section 1183 to read as follows:
   § 1183. TEMPORARY REDUCED SPEED LIMIT IN WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS. 1.
 NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY  OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY
 AUTHORITY SHALL ESTABLISH A TEMPORARY REDUCED  MAXIMUM  SPEED  LIMIT  OF
 FORTY-FIVE MILES PER HOUR ON THE GOVERNOR THOMAS E. DEWEY THRUWAY (HERE-
 INAFTER THE "THRUWAY"), AS DEFINED BY SECTION THREE HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX OF
 THE PUBLIC AUTHORITIES LAW, IN THE EVENT THAT:
   (A)  SNOW AND ICE ACCUMULATION ON THE THRUWAY REACHES OR EXCEEDS THREE
 INCHES AND SUCH ACCUMULATION HAS NOT BEEN FULLY CLEARED BY SNOW AND  ICE
 REMOVAL OPERATIONS; OR
   (B)  THE  NEW  YORK  STATE THRUWAY AUTHORITY, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, DETERMINES THAT WEATHER OR THRUWAY  CONDI-
 TIONS  ARE  UNSAFE AT THE PRESCRIBED SPEED LIMIT OF SIXTY-FIVE MILES PER
 HOUR, BUT SUCH WEATHER OR THRUWAY  CONDITIONS  DO  NOT  WARRANT  A  FULL
 CLOSURE OF THE THRUWAY.
   2.  SUCH  TEMPORARY REDUCED MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT
 UNTIL:
   (A) SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL OPERATIONS HAVE CLEARED THE THRUWAY  TO  SAFE
 CONDITIONS; AND
   (B)  THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY AUTHORITY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANS-
 PORTATION JOINTLY CERTIFY THAT SAFE CONDITIONS HAVE  BEEN  RESTORED  AND
 THE MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT OF SIXTY-FIVE MILES PER HOUR  CAN BE REINSTATED.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD14668-01-6
 S. 9312                             2

 
   3.  A  VIOLATION  OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF TWO
 HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS AND A PENALTY IN THE FORM OF FOUR  POINTS  AGAINST
 SUCH VIOLATOR'S DRIVING RECORD.
   4.  THE  PENALTIES PROVIDED BY SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION SHALL
 APPLY IN ADDITION TO ANY PENALTIES IMPOSED FOR RECKLESS DRIVING  OR  THE
 FAILURE  TO  COMPLY  WITH TRAFFIC-CONTROL INDICATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH
 TITLE SEVEN OF THIS CHAPTER.
   § 2. The public authorities law is amended by  adding  a  new  section
 361-e to read as follows:
   §  361-E.  TEMPORARY  REDUCED SPEED NOTIFICATIONS. THE AUTHORITY SHALL
 TRANSMIT TEMPORARY REDUCED SPEED LIMIT  NOTIFICATIONS  TO  OPERATORS  OF
 MOTOR  VEHICLES  ON  THE  THRUWAY  IN  ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF
 SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY-THREE OF THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW. SUCH
 NOTIFICATIONS SHALL BE PROVIDED THROUGH:
   1. VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGNS;
   2. THE AUTHORITY'S WEBSITE AND MOBILE APPLICATION;
   3. DEPARTMENT TRAVELER ADVISORY SYSTEMS; AND
   4. LOCAL GOVERNMENT ALERT SYSTEMS FOR RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY THE TEMPO-
 RARY REDUCED SPEED LIMIT.
   § 3. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) and paragraphs (b) and  (d)  of
 subdivision  4  of  section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law, subpara-
 graph (i) of paragraph (a) and paragraph (b) as amended by  chapter  379
 of  the  laws of 2022 and paragraph (d) as amended by chapter 477 of the
 laws of 2024, are amended and a new paragraph (c-6) is added 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", "Work Zone Safety"
 awareness, "Motorcycle Safety" awareness and "Pedestrian  and  Bicyclist
 Safety"  awareness  as  defined by the commissioner, "School Bus Safety"
 awareness, "WINTER WEATHER SAFETY" AWARENESS, the law relating to  exer-
 cising  due  care  to avoid colliding with a parked, stopped or standing
 authorized emergency vehicle or hazard vehicle pursuant to section elev-
 en hundred forty-four-a of this chapter, the ability to read and compre-
 hend traffic signs and symbols and such other matters as the commission-
 er 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  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 motor vehicle  and  the
 legal  and  financial  consequences resulting from violations of section
 eleven hundred ninety-two of this chapter, prohibiting 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 consequences resulting from assault-
 ing,  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 may include one or more questions concerning motorcycle safe-
 ty. Such test may include one or more questions concerning the  law  for
 exercising  due care to avoid colliding with a parked, stopped or stand-
 S. 9312                             3
 
 ing vehicle pursuant to section  eleven  hundred  forty-four-a  of  this
 chapter.   Such test may include one or more questions concerning school
 bus safety.  SUCH TEST MAY INCLUDE ONE OR MORE QUESTIONS CONCERNING  THE
 OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE IN WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS. Such test may
 include  one or more questions concerning pedestrian and bicyclist safe-
 ty. Such test shall be administered by the commissioner. The commission-
 er 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.
   (b) Upon successful completion of the requirements set forth in  para-
 graph  (a)  of  this subdivision which shall include an alcohol and drug
 education component as described in paragraph (c) of this subdivision, a
 "Road Rage" awareness component as described in paragraph (c-1) of  this
 subdivision,  a  "Work  Zone Safety" awareness component as described in
 paragraph (c-2) of this subdivision,  a  "Motorcycle  Safety"  awareness
 component as described in paragraph (c-3) of this subdivision, a "School
 Bus  Safety" awareness component as described in paragraph (c-4) of this
 subdivision, [and] a "Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety" awareness  compo-
 nent  as described in paragraph (c-5) of this subdivision, AND A "WINTER
 WEATHER SAFETY" AWARENESS COMPONENT AS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH  (C-6)  OF
 THIS  SUBDIVISION,  the commissioner shall cause the applicant to take a
 road test in a representative  vehicle  of  a  type  prescribed  by  the
 commissioner which shall be appropriate to the type of license for which
 application  is  made,  except  that the commissioner may waive the road
 test requirements for certain classes of applicants. Provided,  however,
 that the term "representative vehicle" shall not include a three-wheeled
 motor vehicle that has two wheels situated in the front and one wheel in
 the  rear,  has  a steering mechanism and seating which does not require
 the operator to straddle or sit astride, is equipped with  safety  belts
 for all occupants and is manufactured to comply with federal motor vehi-
 cle  safety  standards for motorcycles including, but not limited to, 49
 C.F.R. part 571. The commissioner shall have the power  to  establish  a
 program  to  allow  persons  other  than  employees of the department to
 conduct road tests  in  representative  vehicles  when  such  tests  are
 required  for  applicants  to obtain a class A, B or C license. If [she]
 THE COMMISSIONER chooses to do so, [she]  THEY  shall  set  forth  [her]
 THEIR  reasons  in  writing  and conduct a public hearing on the matter.
 [She] THE COMMISSIONER shall only establish such a program after holding
 the public hearing.
   (C-6) "WINTER WEATHER SAFETY" AWARENESS COMPONENT. (I) THE COMMISSION-
 ER SHALL PROVIDE IN THE PRE-LICENSING COURSE, SET FORTH IN PARAGRAPH (B)
 OF THIS SUBDIVISION, A MANDATORY COMPONENT IN  "WINTER  WEATHER  SAFETY"
 AWARENESS EDUCATION AS A PREREQUISITE FOR OBTAINING A LICENSE TO OPERATE
 A  MOTOR  VEHICLE.  THE  PURPOSE  OF  SUCH COMPONENT SHALL BE TO EDUCATE
 PROSPECTIVE LICENSEES ON THE OPERATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES  DURING  WINTER
 WEATHER CONDITIONS.
   (II)  THE  COMMISSIONER  SHALL  ESTABLISH A CURRICULUM FOR THE "WINTER
 WEATHER SAFETY" AWARENESS COMPONENT WHICH SHALL INCLUDE, BUT  SHALL  NOT
 BE  LIMITED TO: SAFE BRAKING AND STOPPING DISTANCES IN SNOW AND ICE; THE
 PROPER USAGE OF HEADLIGHTS AND HAZARD LIGHTS; PROCEDURES FOR MAINTAINING
 CONTROL OF A VEHICLE IN A SKID; THE DANGERS OF  BLACK  ICE  AND  REDUCED
 VISIBILITY;  WINTER  TIRE AND EQUIPMENT AWARENESS; AND THE COMPREHENSION
 OF AND COMPLIANCE WITH TEMPORARY REDUCED SPEED LIMITS IN ACCORDANCE WITH
 SECTION  ELEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY-THREE OF THIS CHAPTER.
 S. 9312                             4
 
   (III) IN DEVELOPING SUCH CURRICULUM, THE  COMMISSIONER  SHALL  CONSULT
 WITH  TRANSPORTATION  SAFETY  EXPERTS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, DRIVING
 INSTRUCTORS, AND THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY AUTHORITY.
   (d)  (i)  The  commissioner shall make available for distribution upon
 registration at each location where the  pre-licensing  course  will  be
 given  (1)  instructional  handbooks outlining the content of the entire
 curriculum  of  the  pre-licensing  course  including  the   information
 required to be included in the course pursuant to paragraphs (c), (c-1),
 (c-2),  (c-3), (c-4) [and], (c-5) AND (C-6) of this subdivision, and (2)
 information as to how a person may register in the New York state  organ
 and  tissue  donor registry under section forty-three hundred ten of the
 public health law.
   (ii) The commissioner shall also provide for the  additional  training
 of  the instructors necessary for the competent instruction of the alco-
 hol and drug education, "Road Rage" awareness, "Work Zone Safety" aware-
 ness, "Motorcycle Safety"  awareness,  "School  Bus  Safety"  awareness,
 "WINTER WEATHER SAFETY" AWARENESS, and "Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety"
 awareness subject matters of the pre-licensing course.
   §  4. This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a
 law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any
 rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act  on  its
 effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such
 effective date.

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Senate Bill S9312

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Transportation Committee

Actions

2025-S9312 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S9312 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S9312 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S9312 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

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Sponsored By

George M. Borrello

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Transportation Committee

Actions

2025-S9312 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S9312 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S9312 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S9312 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments