BILL NUMBER: S2061
SPONSOR: COONEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the insurance law, in
relation to reckless driving and the implementation of a reckless driv-
ing and vehicular violence awareness component of the pre-licensing
course for driver's licenses
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To implement reckless driving and vehicular violence training into the
vehicle, traffic, and insurance law components of pre-licensing courses
for driver's licenses.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Describes the bill's legislative intent to deter various
forms of dangerous driving. Additionally defines the original statutory
language of New York vehicle and traffic section 1212 and details how
this bill corrects said section
Section 2: Amends section 1212 of the vehicle and traffic law by adding
a presumption clause and classifying reckless driving as a class A
misdemeanor. Additionally requires that any driver of a motor vehicle or
motorcycle found guilty of violating section 1212 participate in a motor
vehicle accident prevention course.
Section 3: Amends section 1146 of the vehicle and traffic law by defin-
ing the parameters of due care and its forms of violations.
Section 4: Amends subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) and paragraphs (b)
and (d) of subdivision 4 of section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law
by adding the laws relating to "Reckless Driving and Vehicular Violence"
awareness on the post-driving certification exam.
Section 5: Amends paragraph 1 of subsection (a) of section 2336 of the
insurance law by adding a "Reckless Driving and Vehicular Violence"
awareness course for premium reduction purposes.
Section 6: Amends paragraph I of subsection (a) 'of section 2336 of the
insurance law by adding a "Reckless Driving and Vehicular Violence"
awareness course for premium reduction purposes.
Section 7: Sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
With the continual reduction of alcohol-related driving deaths, the
legislature recognizes the importance of addressing other types of
dangerous driving. As reported by the National Safety Council's 2016
survey, although 83% of drivers surveyed regarded driving as a safety
concern, a startling 64% say they are comfortable speeding, and 47% text
either manually or through voice. In contrast, the legislative's success
in deterring drunk driving is reflected in the 10% surveyed who say they
are comfortable driving after consuming too much alcohol. This demon-
strates that while legal and legislative work has successfully deemed
drunk driving socially unacceptable, additional forms of dangerous driv-
ing have not. These unchecked forms of dangerous driving pose a substan-
tial risk to the general safety of drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists
alike and, in response, the legislature's sponsorship of this bill aims
to preemptively reduce reckless driving through heightened awareness on
dangerous driving through pre-licensing training and insurance incen-
tives.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: S. 6202/A.7032
S. 9494/A. 3932 of 2023-24: Referred to Transportation Committee
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
becomes law.

Statutes affected:
S2061: 1212 vehicle and traffic law, 1146 vehicle and traffic law, 2336 insurance law, 2336(a) insurance law