BILL NUMBER: S9431
SPONSOR: COONEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring
instruction on work zone safety awareness as part of the pre-licensing
course
 
PURPOSE:
To institutionalize a proactive infrastructure literacy to prevent the
rise of collision especially among novice drivers as a way of creating
work zone safety awareness by ensuring that the entry-level of licensure
is dependent on a demonstrated competency in work zone navigation and a
commitment to occupational safety.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one: amends Paragraph (c-2) of subdivision 4 of section 502 of
the vehicle and traffic law, as added by chapter 585 of the laws of
2002.
Section two: establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This law changes a driver's license from a simple 'permit to drive' into
a safety credential most especially entering a high-risk workspace. By
adding 30 minutes of targeted training, we tend to proactively close the
experience gap that often leads new drivers to freeze or make mistakes
when road layouts suddenly change. Instead of just following rules, new
drivers will now learn to respect the highway as a workspace for
construction crews. This ensures that before anyone gets behind the
wheel, they understand that their right to use the road depends on their
ability to protect the people working on it.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth 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:
S9431: 502 vehicle and traffic law, 502(4) vehicle and traffic law