BILL NUMBER: S2403
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to prohibiting
the use of any device which affects the operation of a traffic-control
signal
 
PURPOSE:
To prohibit the operation of any vehicle except an emergency vehicle,
that is equipped with a device which affects the operation of a traffic
control signal.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Adds a new definition of "traffic-control signal preemption
device" to Section 154-a of the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
Section 2: Forbids the purchase, possession, manufacture, installation,
sale, distribution, or use of a traffic-control signal preemption
device(authorized emergency vehicles and public transportation vehicles
are exempt). Sets out penalties for violating this law.
Section 3: Amends Section 1115 of the vehicle and traffic law by adding
subdivision (d) which addresses penalties for forcibly altering traffic
control signals.
Section 4: Sets effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
There are people willing to pay as much as $1,000 for a device that
allows them to change a red light to green right from their driver's
seat as if they were law enforcement officers on call. The purpose of
the existence of such devices is for emergency access and not for the
convenience of someone who wants to get home earlier from work or to
dodge traffic. These devices exist and are currently in use by non-emer-
gency personnel. Public safety dictates the need to make the use of such
devices illegal by persons other than authorized emergency personnel.
Such devices flaunt public safety concerns and could cause serious
personal injury or death on New York roadways.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Senate
2003: S4468, Passed Senate
2004: S4468, Passed Senate
2005: S281, Passed Senate
2006: S281, Referred to Transportation
2007: S1348, Passed Senate
2008: S1348, Referred to Transportation
2009: S1807C, Reported and Committed to Codes
2010: S1807C, Amend and Recommitted to Codes
2011: S1208, Passed Senate
2012: S1208, Passed Senate
2013: S3994, Passed Senate
2014: S3994, Passed Senate
2015: S2203, Passed Senate
2016: S2203, Passed Senate
2017: S3249, Passed Senate
2018: S3249, Passed Senate
2019: S1632A, Passed Senate
2020 S1632A, Passed Senate
2021: S1637, Passed Senate
2022: S1637, Referred to Transportation
2023: S1157, Referred to Transportation
2024: S1157, Referred to Transportation
Assembly
2003: No Assembly Same-As
2004: No Assembly Same-As
2005: No Assembly Same-As
2006: No Assembly Same-As
2007: A7091, Referred to Transportation
2008: A7091, Referred to Transportation
2009: A2791B, Referred to Transportation
2010: A2791B, Amend and Recommitted to Transportation
2011: N/A
2012: A10245, Referred to Transportation
2013: A1269, Referred to Transportation
2014: A1269, Referred to Transportation
2015: A1015, Referred to Transportation
2016: A1015, Referred to Transportation
2017: A278, Referred to Transportation
2018: A278, Referred to Transportation
2019: A3625A, Amend and Recommit to Transportation
2020: A3625A, Referred to Transportation
2021: N/A
2022: N/A
2023: A8056, Referred to Transportation
2024: A8056, Referred to Transportation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred-eightieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.

Statutes affected:
S2403: 1115 vehicle and traffic law