Res. No. 692
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign into law A.1306 and S.1337, in relation to requiring all passengers of motor vehicles sixteen years and older to be restrained by safety belts.
By Council Members Levin, Mendez and Williams
Whereas, Currently New York State Law requires that passengers sixteen years or younger must be restrained by a safety belt while in the front seat of a motor vehicle and does not require seat belts to be worn by passengers in the back seat, unless the driver holds a junior license or a learning permit; and
Whereas, According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, only 69% of front seat passengers used seat belts in 2008, and approximately one out of every six vehicle occupants do not wear a seat beat; and
Whereas, A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) survey found that only 58% percent of passengers reported wearing a seat belt when they were riding in the back seat; and
Whereas, The use of safety belts has been proven to mitigate the occurrence of death and severe injury caused by motor vehicle accidents; and
Whereas, The requiring of seat belt use for all front seat passengers and all back seat passengers would protect many lives and fatal motor vehicle accidents in the State of New York; and
Whereas, With the passage of A.1306 or S.1337 New York State would join twenty-five other states, and the District of Columbia, which have already enacted similar legislation mandating all passengers to wear seat belts; 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 into law A.1306 and S.1337, in relation to requiring all passengers of motor vehicles sixteen years and older to be restrained by safety belts.
NL
LS # 1610
February 15, 2011
5:47pm