Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara announced several pieces of legislation he sponsored to improve limousine safety have now passed the State Assembly. The measures include providing more oversight on stretch limousine operators and drivers, enforcement actions and consumer protection.

“Following the tragic limousine crash in Schoharie this past October that claimed the lives of 20 people, the worst transportation disaster in nearly a decade, the need for updated laws governing stretch limousines was apparent,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara. “The horrific event left a scar on our community and limousine safety has been an issue of concern ever since," Santabarbara said. "These bills are aimed at preventing tragedies like this one by strengthening regulations and improving standards to ensure the safety of passengers."

Santabarbara’s legislation will require limousine carriers to provide the Department of Motor Vehicles with a list of each altered motor vehicle, commonly referred to as a “stretch limousine,” designed to carry 15 or more passengers (A.5774-A). The bill would also require the commissioner of motor vehicles to annually review the files of each driver employed by a motor vehicle carrier that operates such vehicles. Additional measures require stretch limousines to use commercial Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technology while operating in New York (A.8171-A) and increased penalties for illegal U-turn violations committed by stretch limousine drivers (A.8172-A).

To further protect passengers and pedestrians, Santabarbara also helped pass a measure requiring $1.5 million combined single limit insurance on for-hire vehicles with a passenger capacity of eight or more including liability coverage for injury or destruction of property (A.7789). Another bill will allow the state Department of Transportation (DOT) to impound stretch limousines that fail state safety inspections until the vehicle is repaired (A.8302).

An additional bill Santabarbara is working on will establish a DOT hotline, website and smartphone application to report safety and customer service issues with stretch limousines (A.8214). People rent limousines for special occasions – birthdays, weddings, prom – and they should have a simple, easy way to check and report any concerns that could endanger their safety or the safety of their loved ones, Santabarbara noted.

Lastly, Assemblyman Santabarbara co-sponsored a bill authorizing the Department of Transportation to impound stretch limousines that fail State safety inspections until the vehicle is safely repaired. (A8302)