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New York State Assembly

Speaker Carl E. Heastie
 
     
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A03333 Summary:

BILL NOA03333
 
SAME ASNo Same As
 
SPONSORFahy
 
COSPNSRCarroll, Colton
 
MLTSPNSR
 
 
Relates to penalties for striking a pedestrian crossing a street while operating a motor vehicle.
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A03333 Memo:

NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION
 submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)




 
BILL NUMBER: A3333
 
SPONSOR: Fahy

 
TITLE OF BILL:
 
An act in relation to penalties for striking a pedestrian crossing a
street while operating a motor vehicle
 
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
 
Increase penalty for striking a pedestrian to five points on one's driv-
ing record
 
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
 
Section 1: Directs the commissioner of the department of motor vehicles
to increase the points assessed to one's a driving record to five for
the act of striking a pedestrian with a motor vehicle.
 
Section 2: Set the effective date
 
 
JUSTIFICATION:
 
In February of 2019, the Governors Highway Safety Association reported
that pedestrian traffic fatalities in the United States are at their
highest level since 1990, with more than 6,200 pedestrians killed in
traffic accidents nationwide. This marks a 41% increase from 2008, mean-
ing that pedestrian fatalities now account for 14% of all traffic fatal-
ities. Researchers attribute this to a rise in the popularity of SUVs
and the increase of smartphone distracted driving.
 
In New York, the State's traffic code can make accidents with pedestrian
injuries difficult to enforce. Currently, one can only be charged with a
violation for striking a pedestrian if the incident is witnessed by a
law enforcement officer. A guilty plea in this case will add just two
additional points to an individual's driving record. Recognizing the
limitations of current traffic code in preventing these accidents, this
bill locks to levy greater consequences on those who are found guilty of
striking a pedestrian.  Making the consequences of striking a pedestrian
more stringent will encourage drivers to be mindful of pedestrians in
heavily trafficked areas.
 
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
 
A6455 of 2019-20
 
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
 
None
 
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately
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