BILL NUMBER: S2308
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the transportation law, in relation to motorcycle aware-
ness on state highways
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To increase safety for motorcyclists on New York State highways main-
tained by the New York State DOT by requiring signage that would encour-
age drivers to be aware of motorcycles sharing the highways with them.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Requires the state department of transportation to install signs on
state highways that state "Watch for Motorcycles." The design, placement
and manner of installation will conform to the manual on uniform traffic
control devices adopted by the state transportation commissioner.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Each year on New York. State Roads, motorcyclists are killed or serious-
ly hurt in accidents with passenger and commercial vehicles. Many times
these accidents are caused a vehicle simply not being aware of the
motorcyclist sharing the road with them. Placing signage on the road
advising drivers to watch for motorcycles would remind drivers to be
vigilant for motorcycle traffic; to obey all traffic laws related to
sharing the road with motorcycle traffic and would lead to fewer motor-
cycle-involved traffic accidents.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S1388 Comrie/ A1987 Davila
2022- S3707/ A5099 Davila
2018 - A.7874 (Davila)
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
Minimal.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
April 1st next succeeding enactment into law.

Statutes affected:
S2308: 14 transportation law