S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
6982
I N S E N A T E
March 3, 2010
___________
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 585 of
3 the laws of 2002, 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 ability to read and
10 comprehend traffic signs and symbols and such other matters as the
11 commissioner may prescribe, and to satisfactorily complete a course
12 prescribed by the commissioner of not less than four hours and not more
13 than five hours, consisting of classroom driver training, MOTORCYCLE
14 SAFETY AND AWARENESS INSTRUCTION and highway safety instruction or the
15 equivalent thereof. Such test shall include at least seven written ques-
16 tions concerning the effects of consumption of alcohol or drugs on the
17 ability of a person to operate a motor vehicle and the legal and finan-
18 cial consequences resulting from violations of section eleven hundred
19 ninety-two of this chapter, prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle
20 while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Such test shall include
21 one or more written questions concerning the devastating effects of
22 "Road Rage" on the ability of a person to operate a motor vehicle and
23 the legal and financial consequences resulting from assaulting, threat-
24 ening or interfering with the lawful conduct of another person legally
25 using the roadway. Such test shall include one or more questions
26 concerning the potential dangers to persons and equipment resulting from
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD16030-01-0
S. 6982 2
1 the unsafe operation of a motor vehicle in a work zone. SUCH TEST SHALL
2 INCLUDE AT LEAST TWO WRITTEN QUESTIONS CONCERNING MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AND
3 AWARENESS AND THE POTENTIAL DANGERS TO MOTORCYCLISTS RESULTING FROM THE
4 UNSAFE BEHAVIOR OF A DRIVER OR OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE SHARING THE
5 ROADWAYS WITH SUCH MOTORCYCLISTS. Such test shall be administered by the
6 commissioner. The commissioner shall cause the applicant to take a
7 vision test and a test for color blindness. Upon passage of the vision
8 test, the application may be accepted and the application fee shall be
9 payable.
10 S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.