Res. No. 90

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.5004, to enhance the fitness and safety requirements for certain licensed individuals.

By Council Members Holden and Yeger

Whereas, On June 25, 2018, Madeline Sershen, a 17 year-old high school student in Queens was killed when an 88-year-old driver ran a red light at the intersection of Utopia Parkway and 16th Avenue in Whitestone; and

Whereas, Ms. Sershen’s tragic death has spurred her family and the community at large to advocate for the way New York State assesses its senior drivers with more than 21,000 people signing an online petition urging New York State to introduce retesting every 2 years once a driver turns 80; and

Whereas, According to the Federal Highway Administration, there were more than 221 million licensed drivers in United States in 2016, including approximately 42 million who are aged 65 and older; and

Whereas, Data obtained from the New York State Open Data Portal reveals that there are approximately 11.7 million licensed drivers in New York State, including roughly 2.7 million drivers 65 years of age or older; and 

Whereas, The national automobile membership organization AAA reports that by 2030, 85 to 90 percent of the 70 million Americans older than 65 are projected to have driver's licenses, a substantial increase from the 33 million that was reported in 2009; and

Whereas, AAA also said that while seniors are safe drivers compared to other age groups, they are more likely to be injured or killed in traffic crashes due to age-related vulnerabilities; and

Whereas, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that fatal crash rates increase starting at age 75 and increase notably after age 80; and

Whereas, According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 33 States and the District of Columbia have special provisions for mature drivers, including accelerated renewal frequency; restriction of online or mailed renewals; and required vision and road tests; and

Whereas, An analysis of State license renewal procedures conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (“IIHS”) found that 18 states require shorter renewal periods for drivers older than a specified age and 18 states require more frequent vision screening/testing for older drivers; and

Whereas, The IIHS analysis further indicates that the District of Columbia requires a physician's approval for drivers 70 and older to renew their licenses, while the State of Illinois requires applicants older than 75 to take a road test at every renewal; and

Whereas, New York State currently does not have any additional mandatory requirements for mature drivers, but only requires a vision test upon the initial application and then at every subsequent renewal which occurs every eight years; and 

Whereas, The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (“DMV”) currently administers the Driver Re-evaluation Program which allows the DMV to reevaluate drivers in the state if the Commissioner has "reasonable grounds" to believe that a person holding a license is not qualified to drive a motor vehicle; and

Whereas, In February 2021, New York State Senator Kevin S. Parker introduced S.5004, a bill that would enhance the fitness and safety requirements for certain licensed individuals and establish a state task force on the effects of aging; and

Whereas, S.5004 would require that upon the seventh application submission for the renewal of a driver's license, applicants must submit proof of a physical examination, conducted by a licensed physician, to prove that the licensee is medically fit to operate a motor vehicle; now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.5004, to enhance the fitness and safety requirements for certain licensed individuals.

Session 12

AH

LS #1440

2/16/22

Session 11

RA

LS 7531

Res. 480-2018