Senator Martins' Bill Protecting Ambulances Passes Senate

A bill sponsored by Senator Jack M. Martins to give ambulances and other emergency vehicles better protection has passed the New York State Senate. The bill (S.5483) would give ambulances and other emergency service vehicles the option of using rear projecting blue lights to prevent the possibility of being struck at night.

Current law allows blue lights affixed to police and fire vehicles. In the event that the trunk or rear gate of a police or fire vehicle hampers that visibility of emergency lighting, a blue light can be affixed to the trunk, rear gate of interior of vehicle. The law went into effect in 2010, but ambulances were omitted.

Senator Martins’ bill gives ambulances the same protection so that emergency service workers who are responding can easily be seen with the blue lights. “We should do everything we can to ensure that our responders can do their jobs of savings lives without being in danger,” said Senator Martins. “By affixing blue lights to the ambulances, emergency service personnel will be seen more easily by passing motorists. They deserve to be able to fully concentrate on their jobs.”

The bill is currently in the Assembly, where it is being sponsored by Assemblyman Bob Sweeney.