BILL NUMBER: S4336

SPONSOR: CARLUCCI
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in
relation to mandatory seat belt use

 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in
relation to mandatory seat belt use

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To improve the safety of motor vehicle occupants.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

The bill amends subdivision 3 of § 1229-c of the Vehicle and Traffic Law
to require the use of seat belts by all passengers sixteen y ears of age
or older riding in any seating position in a motor vehicle.

 
              

JUSTIFICATION:

The institution of a mandatory seat belt law for all front seat passen-
gers has saved lives. According to the New York State Departmen t of
Motor Vehicles, in 1984, the year the law was enacted, approximately 16%
of individuals wore seat belts. By 2008, 24 years after the law was
enacted, the compliance rate was up to 89%. The Governor's Traffic Safe-
ty Committee has indicated that thirty percent of high way deaths in New
York State occurred to occupants who were unrestrained. This is a great-
er factor than alcohol or excessive speed.

Recognizing the serious injuries that may be caused to other passengers
or the driver of a motor vehicle by an unrestrained occupant of the
vehicle in the event of a collision, 19 states have adopted legislation
requiring all rear seat occupants to wear safety restraints.

Extensive research has shown that unbelted rear seat passengers can kill
and injure others. A sixty pound unbelted passenger traveling in the
rear seat would exert a force of approximately 2,700 pounds, or more
than one ton, into the driver's seat in a head-on crash at 30 miles per
hour.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in fatal
crashes, 76% of vehicle occupants who were totally ejected from the
vehicle were killed. In 2007, only once percent of the occupants
reported to have been using restraints were totally ejected from the
vehicle, compared with 319& of the unrestrained occupants. As a result,
safety experts believe that the use of a rear seat belt could prevent
over two thirds of fatalities and serious injuries resulting from motor
vehicle crashes. Therefore, this legislation seeks to reduce automobile
accident fatalities and casualties by requiring all occupants of a motor
vehicle to buckle up.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017 (A1582A) referred to transportation
amend and recommit to transportation
print number 1582a
reported referred to codes reported referred to rules
2018 referred to codes
2016 (A.2449-8) Referred to Transportation
2015 (A.2449-8) Referred to Transportation
2014 (A.6657/S.389) Referred to Transportation
2013 (A.6657/S.389) Advanced to third reading
2011-12 (A.1306/S.1337) Advanced to third reading
2009-10 (A.225-A/S.1169-13) Advanced to third reading
2007-08 (A.104/S.174)
2005-06 (A.2157-A/5.3582-A)
2003-04 (A.903/S.118)
2002 (A.11063-A/S.6302-A)

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.