S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
2202
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
January 12, 2017
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Introduced by Sens. PARKER, AVELLA -- 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, 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 97 of
the laws of 2016, 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 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, 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 motor vehicle and the legal and financial
consequences resulting from violations of section eleven hundred nine-
ty-two of this chapter, prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle
while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Such test shall include
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02051-01-7
S. 2202 2
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 assaulting, threat-
ening 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 MOTORCYCLISTS. 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 or
hazard 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.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that
if chapter 97 of the laws of 2016 shall not have taken effect on or
before such date then section one of this act shall take effect on the
same date and in the same manner as such chapter of the laws of 2016,
takes effect.