NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A966
SPONSOR: Davila TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the transportation law, in relation to motorcycle aware-
ness on state highways
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To increase safety for motorcyclists on New York State highways main-
tained by the New York State DOT by requiring signage that would encour-
age drivers to be aware of motorcycles sharing the highways with them.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Requires the state department of transportation to install signs on
state highways that state, "Watch for Motorcycles." The design, place-
ment and manner of installation will conform to the manual on uniform
traffic control devices adopted by the state transportation commission-
er.
JUSTIFICATION:
Each year on New York State Roads, motorcyclists are killed or seriously
hurt in accidents with passenger and commercial vehicles. Many times,
these accidents are caused a vehicle simply not being aware of the
motorcyclist sharing the road with them. Placing signage on the road
advising drivers to watch for motorcycles would remind drivers to be
vigilant for motorcycle traffic; to obey all traffic laws related to
sharing the road with motorcycle traffic and would lead to fewer motor-
cycle-involved traffic accidents.
Motorcycles constitute a small fraction of registered vehicles in New
York State but are disproportionately involved in traffic fatalities.
In New York City, motorcycles represent only 2% of registered vehicles,
yet account for 14% of all traffic deaths. The fatal crash rate for
motorcyclists in the city is nearly double that of the state overall,
with 89 fatalities per 100,000 registered motorcycles in NYC compared to
46 per 100,000 statewide. These statistics underscore the critical need
for enhanced motorcycle awareness and driver education in New York
State.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2018- A.7874 (Davila).
2020- A. 5098A (Davila/Comrie)
2021-2022 A. 5099 (Davila/Comrie)
2023-2024 A. 1987 (Davila/Comrie)
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
Minimal cost as signage is done in house.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the
date upon which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the
addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary
for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized
to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
