BILL NUMBER: S3333
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the opera-
tion of vehicles that are on approach of vehicles displaying a green or
blue light
 
PURPOSE:
To require any motor vehicle operator to yield the right of way and
immediately move over upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehi-
cle equipped with at least one lighted lamp exhibiting a blue or green
light.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends the section heading and subdivision (b) of section
1144 of the vehicle and traffic law to impose the duty to drive with
reasonable care for all persons using the highway on those vehicles
authorized to display a green or blue light
Section 2: Amends section 1144 of the vehicle and traffic law by adding
a new subdivision (a-1) to require, upon the immediate approach of a
vehicle equipped with at least one lighted lamp exhibiting a green or
blue light, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-
way and shall immediately drive a position parallel to and as close as
possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway or to either edge
of a one-way roadway, there or more lands in width, clear of any inter-
section, and shall stop and remain in such position until the vehicle
has passed.
Section 3: Sets effective date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle display-
ing a visible red light, any motor vehicle operator is required to yield
the right of way and pull over immediately. Currently, motorists are
not required by law. Still, as a courtesy, they are encouraged to exer-
cise the same due care for volunteer emergency medical vehicles display-
ing a green light and volunteer fire vehicles displaying a blue light.
This failure to impose the same standards on motorists for emergency
vehicles displaying blue and/or green lights often result in significant
delays for first responders to arrive on the scene and assist those in
need. This bill will require any operators of a vehicle to also imme-
diately yield and move over for volunteer EMS vehicles displaying a
green light and volunteer fire vehicles displaying a blue light.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Senate
2021: S4544, Referred to Transportation
2022: S4544, Referred to Transportation
2023: S2313, Referred to Transporation
2024: S2313, Referred to Transportation
Assembly
2021: No Assembly Same-As
2022: No Assembly Same-As
2023: A8248, Referred to Transportation
2024: A8248, Referred to Transportation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S3333: 1144 vehicle and traffic law