BILL NUMBER: S9377
SPONSOR: COONEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to vehicle
accident report information
 
PURPOSE:
This bill aims to create a mandated process for reporting collisions of
vehicles to serve as public information for responsible parties, gener-
ate statistical data for improving road safety and to ensure account-
ability.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one: amends Section 604 of the vehicle and traffic law, as
amended by chapter 196 of the laws of 2024.
Section two: sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Current laws and Department of Motor Vehicles procedures present infor-
mation lapses, failing to accurately classify the diverse range of
modern transport such as electric scooters and e-bikes involved in
collisions. This bill seeks to address these gaps by empowering the
Commissioner to mandate standardized reporting forms that specifically
identify all vehicle types, from commercial trucks to bicycles with
electric assist. By requiring the DMV to distribute these forms to local
clerks and police departments, the bill ensures a uniform filing process
at the central bureau in Albany. This addresses the current lack of a
streamlined, mandated process for reporting vehicle collisions, thereby
providing the state with the statistical data necessary to improve road
safety. Furthermore, by allowing the release of non-private information
to responsible vendors under strict ethical contracts, the bill ensures
that collision data serves as accessible public information while main-
taining accountability and protecting the public morals and welfare of
the state.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S9377: 604 vehicle and traffic law