McDonough Announces Limousine Safety Package Passes Assembly

Ranking Minority member of the Transportation Committee, Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) announced today the passage of 10 bills that will protect patrons of limousines and improve industry standards in response to the devastating limo crash that killed 20 people last year in the upstate Town of Schoharie. An extensive report found that the limo driven in the crash had major braking issues, ultimately leading it to speed through a stop sign and crash.

In July 2015, a limo was struck by an oncoming truck when making an illegal U-turn leaving a winery on Long Island, killing four women and injuring several more.

The bills include measures to require drug and alcohol testing for drivers of limousines with the capacity to transport nine or more passengers (A.712-A) and allow the Department of Transportation to impound limousines that fail safety inspections until they are deemed safe for use (A.9056).

“As longtime Ranker of the Transportation Committee, I am always looking for ways to make our roads and highways safer and the horrific crash last year upstate is a wake-up call that we need to raise safety standards across the board to see that limousine owners, drivers and passengers are embracing safety first,” McDonough said. “Whether it’s in a car, truck or limousine, passengers should always be wearing a life-saving seatbelt and these new regulations will hold companies accountable for neglecting repairs and putting their patrons’ lives at risk.”

A full list of the bills passed is as follows: A.712A, A.1316C, A.8172A, A.8214B, A.8474A, A.8990, A.9056, A.9057, A.9058 and A.9059.