BILL NUMBER: S4714

SPONSOR: KENNEDY
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in
relation to the use of green lights on municipal vehicles

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

Authorizes state and municipally-owned vehicles to affix green or alter-
nating green and amber lights to motor vehicles engaged in snow and ice
removal for the purpose of increasing visibility during winter weather
events.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one - amends subdivision 41 of section 375 of the vehicle and
traffic law to allow state and municipally-owned motor vehicles to use
green lights or alternating green and amber lights engaged in snow and
ice removal or maintenance.

Section two - sets the effective date.
              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

This legislation seeks to expand access to green lights to state and
municipally-owned snow removal vehicles for the purpose of increased
visibility and public safety.

Studies show that a green light is brighter to color-deficient individ-
uals than any other light, making it the safest option for vehicles that
need to be seen from far distances and during times of low visibility
due to winter weather.

As a result, several states that experience similar winter weather to
New York have been amending their laws in recent years to allow green
lights on state and municipally-owned snow removal vehicles. Michigan
and Ohio have each made the move to green lights snow removal equipment,
citing the expected decrease in plow-involved traffic accidents and
general increased safety for plow operators working to maintain roads
and highways.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.