BILL NUMBER: S7621
SPONSOR: GOUNARDES
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring
the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated
violation of maximum speed limits
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To require drivers to install intelligent speed assistance devices in
their vehicles for at least twelve months if they consistently violate
maximum speed limits.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends vehicle and traffic law by adding a new section 119-c,
defining an intelligent speed assistance device, also known as a "speed
limiter", which caps the speed of a vehicle at 5 miles per hour higher
than the speed limit.
Section 2 amends subdivision (h) of section 1180 of vehicle and traffic
law by adding a new paragraph 6 which would:
-Mandate the commissioner create a list of approved speed limiter
devices;
-Require individuals who accumulate eleven or more points on their driv-
ing record in 18 months to install a speed limiter device in any motor
vehicle owned or operated by them for twelve months or the period of
license suspension or revocation, whichever is later;
-Require the owner of a vehicle that accumulates 6 or more speed camera
violations or red light violations in 12 months to install a speed limi-
ter device in any motor vehicle owned or operated by them for twelve
months or the period of license suspension or revocation, whichever is
later;
-Require the commissioner to design an evaluation that ensures individ-
uals demonstrate safe driving practices during the period of speed limi-
ter installation, allowing the court to extend the installation period
by up to 36 months if safe driving practices were not followed;
-State that the individual bears responsibility for the cost of acquir-
ing a speed limiter. They may apply to the court to have this cost
waived or utilize a payment plan;
-Set a schedule for the installation and inspection of speed limiter
devices;
-Stipulate that driving without a mandated speed limiter or assisting
someone in doing so is a Class A misdemeanor;
-Exempt authorized emergency vehicles from the requirements of this
paragraph;
-Require the commissioner to issue a report on the efficacy of the speed
limiter program;
Section 3 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Speeding has severe consequences. For every 10 miles per hour of
increased speed, the risk of dying in a crash doubles. Speeding is a
contributing factor in thirty percent of all traffic fatalities. The
percent of pedestrian crashes where speed plays a key role has also
increased, while pedestrian deaths from vehicles overall has risen by 51
to 87 percent in the ten year span between 2009 and 2019. In the first
three months of 2023, 51 people were killed in NYC alone by vehicles.
Drivers in New York who constantly drive dangerously and speed must be
held accountable. This bill would ensure that the most reckless drivers
in our state, individuals consistently racking up points, speed camera
violations, and red light violations, do not continue to endanger pedes-
trians, cyclists, other drivers, and our communities. Requiring these
individuals to have speed limiter devices in their vehicles would great-
ly improve street safety. Speed limiters have been shown to reduce traf-
fic deaths by 37 percent. When NYC instituted a pilot program for munic-
ipal vehicles, hard-braking incidents dropped by 36 percent, and these
vehicles followed the speed limit 99 percent of the time.
By requiring drunk drivers to have an Ignition Interlocking Device
installed, preventing their cars from starting unless sober, New York
has already demonstrated a willingness to take reasonable precautions
when drivers violate the law and represent a danger to themselves and
others. This bill builds on the successful IID program and recognizes
the danger perennial speeding drivers pose to our communities.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBD
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act will take effect on the sixtieth day after it becomes law.
However, subparagraph (iii) of paragraph 6 of subdivision (h) of section
1180 of the vehicle and traffic law, as added by section two of this
act, will take effect one year after the effective date.