The New York Chapter is proud to be part of a coalition urging the Governor to sign lifesaving measures for motorists into law.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 29, 2020

 CONTACT: Pete Daniels / pdaniels@saferoads.org / 301-442-2249 (C)

 S. 4336/A. 6163 will save lives, reduce injuries and curb costs

 As organizations representing traffic safety, public health and medical professionals, emergency responders and the insurance industry, we are united in urging Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) to sign Senate Bill (S.) 4336 / Assembly Bill (A.) 6163 into law to improve the state’s current seat belt requirement.  Passed by the State Legislature on March 3, 2020, S. 4336/A. 6163 was sponsored by Senator David Carlucci (D) and Assemblyman Walter Mosley (D) to close a gap in New York’s seat belt law.  Since 1984, when New York became the Nation’s first state to enact a primary enforcement seat belt law for drivers and front seat passengers, rear seat passenger safety has lagged behind.  It is time for New York to join the 19 states and Washington, D.C. that have already taken this essential action to protect all occupants.

Over the last decade, lack of seat belt use by rear seat passengers has contributed to significant numbers of fatalities and injuries in New York, with 300 people killed and over 29,000 people injured.  The absence of a rear seat belt requirement leaves young people particularly vulnerable because rear seat occupants ages 16-24 have the lowest rate of belt use and account for approximately half of the state’s motor vehicle crash fatalities.  A more comprehensive seat belt law will help protect all occupants and keep teenagers and young adults safe on the roads.

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