Requires drivers between 16 and 25 years of age to take and pass the national safety council course, or a similar nationally recognized course in order to obtain a license or upon conviction of a moving violation.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A9063
SPONSOR: Skartados TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in
relation to requiring drivers between sixteen and twenty-five years of
age to take and pass the national safety council course, or a similar
nationally approved course approved by the department of motor vehicles
in order to obtain a license or upon conviction of a moving violation
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This law will require as a prerequisite to receiving a license, a driver
under the age of 25 take either the National Safety Council "Alive at
25" course, or a similar course recognized by the Motor Vehicle Bureau
that teaches safe behavior and driver attitude. In addition, any driver
under 25 who has not, previously taken the course will be required to do
so if they receive a moving violation.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Amend NY Vehicle and Traffic Law by the insertion of the following: An
applicant for a Class A license who is at least 16, but not more than 25
years of age; shall be required to take and pass the national safety
council course, or a similar nationally-approved course approved by the
Motor Vehicle Department, relating to young driver's attitudes-and
behaviors behind the wheel. The course must be not less than four hours
or more than five hours, consisting of classroom instruction relating to
the effects of driver inexperience peer pressure and distractions such
as cell phones and texting; why young drivers have such high crash and
violation rates and how driving behaviors, and attitudes contribute;
hazard recognition; adopting safe driving behaviors and practices, and
responsibilities of passengers.
Any licensed driver at least 16 years of age but not more. than 25 years
of age, who is convicted of a moving violation shall be required to take
or retake and pass the same course.
JUSTIFICATION:
The justification of this law is based on the overwhelming evidence of
death, injury and damage caused by the destructive driving habits of
young drivers; and the proven benefits those driving programs which
modify attitude and behavior will have to reduce accidents and save
lives.
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Summary of Speed-Related
Motor Vehicle Crashes in 2012 indicates that 22.6% of all crashes due to
excess speed are committed by male drivers between the ages of 18-24.
Both male and female drivers in that age category represent the greatest
number of drivers who speed and crash. The tragic result of speeding
committed by drivers 18-25 years of age caused 92 crashes with fatali-
ties, 2545 crashes with personal injuries and 3310 crashes with claims
of property damage.
In New York State drivers in high school must take a driver education
program or pre-licensing courses that teaches state law and the mechan-
ics of car and road handling. Research by the National Safety 'Council
(NSC) "shows that young drivers do have knowledge of driving methods and
traffic laws; however, because of their inexperience and casual atti-
tudes towards driving, they often use poor judgment and/or make poor
driving choices when they are behind the wheel."
The NSC course "Alive at 25" is a complement to standard driver educa-
tion programs. "Alive at 25" focuses on driver behavior, judgment, deci-
sion making and consequences, and provides tools for making positive
choices. The program's focus is to persuade attendees to take responsi-
bility for their behavior in driving situations and to adopt safe driv-
ing practices. It is taught in 26 states (including New York) often as a
state mandate-after a serious traffic violation has occurred.
Behavioral and attitude driving courses are effective. Since 1995, more
than 850,000 young drivers have learned life saving defensive driving
skills from Alive at 25 training. Since South Carolina's Alive at 25
program kicked off in 2007, the state's death toll among drivers 15-24
has dropped by 37%. In 2003, the Colorado State Patrol evaluations
showed Alive at 25 graduates have a fatality rate of over 70% below the
national average. In addition, the under age 20 fatal rate in Colorado
dropped by 50% in 2005.
The evidence that we need to teach positive driving habits and attitudes
before accidents take place and before remedial action is rewired is as
follows: According to the NSC "Every year, drivers under the age of 25
are involved in more than six million collisions resulting in 14,000
fatalities. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for young
drivers (National Safety Council, Injury Facts). In New York State,
drivers under the age of 25 were involved in more than 90,000 collisions
resulting in more than 315 fatal crashes including all persons."
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The Department of Motor Vehicles will establish a fee to include all
costs required Co process information related to this law. The process-
ing fee will be included in the driver's course application fee.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
The first of January next succeeding the date upon which it shall have
become a law.
