BILL NUMBER: S760B
SPONSOR: LIU
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to prohibiting
reckless driving in parking lots
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to address a dangerous trend of motorists
engaging in reckless behavior in parking lots that are open to the
public.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the definition of reckless driving to include driving
or using a motor vehicle in parking lots.
Section 2 provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Due to the restrictions of the pandemic, there has been a resurgence of
"car culture" in New York State. As part of this culture, some motorists
have increasingly been engaging in dangerous displays of extreme and
reckless driving for their own gratification or that of spectators.
This has been indicated in NYC by increased constituent complaints to
311 about not only illegal street racing but also about displays of
"takeovers," "slideshows," and "donuts" within public and private park-
ing lots and structures.
These displays of extreme and reckless driving in parking facilities
have resulted in numerous injuries to motorists, passengers, spectators,
and even bystander fatalities nationwide. Despite the danger to the
public, there has been a lack of enforcement of these incidents of reck-
less driving due to these events occurring in parking lots rather than
on public highways and roadways.
This bill would allow such displays of extreme and reckless driving in
parking lots to be enforced as "reckless driving."
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021 REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
2022 REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S760: 1212 vehicle and traffic law
S760A: 1212 vehicle and traffic law
S760B: 1212 vehicle and traffic law