S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                         2698
                              2013-2014 Regular Sessions
                                   I N  S E N A T E
                                   January 23, 2013
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by  Sen.  PARKER -- 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:
    1    Section 1. Subparagraph (i) of  paragraph  (a)  of  subdivision  4  of
    2  section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 458 of
    3  the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
    4    (i)  Upon  submission  of  an  application for a driver's license, the
    5  applicant shall be required to take and pass a test, or submit  evidence
    6  of  passage of a test, with respect to the laws relating to traffic, the
    7  laws relating to driving while ability is impaired and while  intoxicat-
    8  ed, under the overpowering influence of "Road Rage", or "Work Zone Safe-
    9  ty"  awareness as defined by the commissioner, the law relating to exer-
   10  cising due care to avoid colliding with a parked,  stopped  or  standing
   11  authorized emergency vehicle or hazard vehicle pursuant to section elev-
   12  en hundred forty-four-a of this chapter, the ability to read and compre-
   13  hend traffic signs and symbols and such other matters as the commission-
   14  er  may prescribe, and to satisfactorily complete a course prescribed by
   15  the commissioner of not less than four hours  and  not  more  than  five
   16  hours,  consisting  of  classroom driver training, MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AND
   17  AWARENESS INSTRUCTION and highway safety instruction or  the  equivalent
   18  thereof.  Such  test  shall  include  at  least  seven written questions
   19  concerning the effects of consumption of alcohol or drugs on the ability
   20  of a person to operate a motor  vehicle  and  the  legal  and  financial
   21  consequences  resulting  from violations of section eleven hundred nine-
   22  ty-two of this chapter, prohibiting the operation  of  a  motor  vehicle
   23  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.
                                                                  LBD04298-01-3
       S. 2698                             2
    1  one or more written questions  concerning  the  devastating  effects  of
    2  "Road  Rage"  on  the ability of a person to operate a motor vehicle and
    3  the legal and financial consequences resulting from assaulting,  threat-
    4  ening  or  interfering with the lawful conduct of another person legally
    5  using the roadway.  Such  test  shall  include  one  or  more  questions
    6  concerning the potential dangers to persons and equipment resulting from
    7  the unsafe operation of a motor vehicle in a work zone.  SUCH TEST SHALL
    8  INCLUDE  AT LEAST TWO WRITTEN QUESTIONS CONCERNING MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AND
    9  AWARENESS AND THE POTENTIAL DANGERS TO MOTORCYCLISTS RESULTING FROM  THE
   10  UNSAFE  BEHAVIOR OF A DRIVER OR OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE SHARING THE
   11  ROADWAYS WITH SUCH MOTORCYCLISTS. Such test  may  include  one  or  more
   12  questions  concerning the law for exercising due care to avoid colliding
   13  with a parked, stopped  or  standing  authorized  emergency  vehicle  or
   14  hazard  vehicle  pursuant to section eleven hundred forty-four-a of this
   15  chapter. Such test  shall  be  administered  by  the  commissioner.  The
   16  commissioner  shall cause the applicant to take a vision test and a test
   17  for color blindness. Upon passage of the vision  test,  the  application
   18  may be accepted and the application fee shall be payable.
   19    S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.