BILL NUMBER: S9816
SPONSOR: OBERACKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act requiring the department of transportation and the governor's
traffic safety committee, in coordination and consultation with the
state university of New York and the city university of New York, as
well as the state university of New York College of Optometry and any
automotive programs within the state university of New York and the city
university of New York, to conduct a study on the impacts of LED head-
light glare on motorists' safety, and providing for the submission of a
report to the governor and the legislature
 
PURPOSE:
This legislation directs state agencies and academic partners to conduct
a comprehensive study of the impacts of LED headlights on motorist safe-
ty, including glare intensity, health effects, and roadway safety risks,
in order to develop recommendations and inform state and federal policy.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Establishes that the department of transportation and the governor's
traffic safety committee, in consultation with the state university of
New York, the city university of New York, the state university of New
York College of Optometry, and relevant automotive programs within the
university systems, will conduct a study on LED headlight glare. Such
study shall examine LED low beam headlight and headlamp alignment stand-
ards, the intensity of glare and its' effect on oncoming motorists,
short-term and long-term health implications of headlight glare, safety
risks and liability associated with excessive brightness or glare, data,
accident reports, and research related to headlight glare, and recommen-
dations for mitigating risks, including regulatory or technological
solutions. The results of such study will be used to develop a report
that shall be published by the commissioner of transportation and
submitted to the governor, legislature, and appropriate federal agencies
and authorities for their consideration.
 
EXISTING LAW:
 
JUSTIFICATION:
While LED headlights are designed to improve visibility for drivers,
they may cause unintended hazards for oncoming motorists, including
temporary blindness, vision impairment, and potential long-term eye
health risks. Complaints regarding excessive headlight brightness and
glare have risen across New York State and nationwide, raising concerns
about roadway safety. This bill ensures that New York conducts an inde-
pendent, evidence based study to better understand these impacts and
develop solutions. The findings of the study will guide state-level
policy decisions, strengthen advocacy for federal standards, and improve
roadway safety for all motorists.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Costs to the department of transportation, the governor's traffic safety
committee, the state university of New York and the city university of
New York to conduct such study and develop a report on their findings.
 
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have
become a law and shall expire and be deemed repealed one year after
such.