BILL NUMBER: S4020
SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to enhancing
the fitness and safety requirements for certain licensed individuals and
establishes the New York state task force on the effects of aging on
driving ability
 
PURPOSE:
To ensure the safety for drivers, pedestrians, and others who may use
New York state roadways
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by
adding a new subdivision 2-a.
Section 2: Paragraph (a) of subdivision 6 of section 502 of the vehicle
and traffic law, as amended by chapter 37 of the laws of 2019, is
amended.
Section 3: The "New York state task force on the effects of aging on
driving ability" is hereby established and shall study the effects of
aging on driving ability and develop a comprehensive approach to licens-
ing drivers.
Section 4: Such task force shall consist of the following members which
shall serve for a term of two years.
Section 5: Such members of the task force shall receive no compensation
for their services, but shall be reimbursed for all expenses actually
and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties.
Section 6: The task force shall report its findings from such study and
make recommendations with supporting legislation to the governor and the
legislature within one year of the effective date of this act.
Section 7: This act shall take effect immediately.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Currently unsafe drivers may be reported to the New York State Depart-
ment of Motor Vehicles if they suffer from medical conditions. However,
this can be problematic because the NYSDMV has to rely entirely on
others to report medical conditions and unsafe drivers it is imperative
that drivers who present a higher risk on the road because of a decline
of essential driving skills such as vision, hearing, reaction time, and
motor abilities have their licenses either suspended or revoked. AAA
released a report revealing statistics regarding the percentage of driv-
ers over a specific age that have reported some impairment to an essen-
tial driving function.
An estimated 20% of American drivers over the age of 65 have cataract in
one eye with that number expected to rise to 3 million in 2020. An esti-
mated 199,000 American drivers over the age of 65 have glaucoma. The
report also highlights the fact that one study suggests that 87% of
stroke victims do not receive any type of formal driving evaluation and
simply just resume driving. Another statistic pertaining to motor skills
that is important to know is that according to the senior drivers organ-
ization 80% of drivers over the age of 70 suffer from arthritis, crippl-
ing inflammation of the joints, which makes turning, flexing and twist-
ing painful. Drivers that fall under this statistic would essentially
have a severely reduced ability to react quickly in any given situation.
Lastly, vision is also a vital part of driving and the time necessary
for eyes to adjust to light is crucial. Senior drivers organization
reports that compared to a 16 year old, a driver who is 55 years old or
older takes eight times longer to recover from a glare. These statistics
reflect the percentage of Americans that have impairment to an essential
driving function and further reinforces the notion that a great degree
of caution needs to be taken when determining who is physically able to
drive. This proposed bill would expand New York's current regulations
and mandate physical examinations starting at the seventh application
submission for the renewal of a driver's license.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S5219- Referred to Transportation
2021-22: S5004 - Referred to Transportation
2019-20: S.4747- Referred to Transportation
2017-18: S3638 - REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
2015-16: S.1720/A.6591 - Referred to Transportation
2013-14: S.2829/A.2466 - Died in Transportation
2012: S.6863/A.9829 - Referred to Transportation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Unknown.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S4020: 502 vehicle and traffic law, 502(6) vehicle and traffic law