File #: Res 1769-2013    Version: * Name: Amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) to authorize the use of a photographic ticketing system.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Transportation
On agenda: 5/22/2013
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign legislation to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) to authorize the use of a photographic ticketing system to detect drivers who illegally pass school buses that are loading and unloading passengers.
Sponsors: David G. Greenfield, Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., Peter A. Koo, G. Oliver Koppell, Annabel Palma, Donovan J. Richards, Deborah L. Rose, Ruben Wills
Council Member Sponsors: 8
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2013*David G. Greenfield City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
5/22/2013*David G. Greenfield City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
5/22/2013*David G. Greenfield City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
Res. No. 1769
 
 
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign legislation to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) to authorize the use of a photographic ticketing system to detect drivers who illegally pass school buses that are loading and unloading passengers.  
 
 
By Council Members Greenfield, Comrie, Koo, Koppell, Palma, Richards, Rose and Wills       
 
      Whereas, In 2012, the New York City Police Department issued over 3,000 summonses to vehicles that failed to stop for a school bus; and
Whereas, Under New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) section 1174(a) a vehicle must stop when a school bus has stopped to discharge or pick-up passengers; and
Whereas, New York State Senator Gregory R. Ball has introduced S.2646 to authorize the use of school bus cameras as prima facie evidence of a violation under VTL section 1174(a); and
Whereas, Since 2003, the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee has sponsored "Operation Safe Stop Day" when enforcement is increased in order to raise awareness that vehicles must stop for school buses; and
Whereas, In 2012, "Operation Safe Stop Day" resulted in over 1,300 summonses being issued to drivers who failed to stop for a school bus; and
      Whereas, School buses are equipped with special stop signs that flash when a school bus has stopped to pick up or drop off passengers; and
      Whereas, Currently there is legislation pending in the New York State Legislature, A.0519 and S.0374, that would increase penalties on drivers who overtake and pass a stopped school bus in the course of receiving or discharging passengers; and
      Whereas, School districts across the nation have begun to install cameras on school buses in order to catch drivers who fail to stop for buses; and
      Whereas, According to USA Today, Cobb County, Georgia, installed cameras on 102 school buses, and the program has yielded over 2,000 summonses; and
      Whereas, The Georgia program was instituted following a 2009 accident, where a kindergartener was killed because a driver failed to stop for a school bus; and
      Whereas, Other jurisdictions that have installed cameras on school buses include Stratford, Connecticut and Falls Church, Virginia; and  
      Whereas, In New York City, Community Education liaisons have called for cameras to be installed on school buses, and refer to success of red light cameras in reducing traffic fatalities in support this proposal; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York call upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign legislation to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) to authorize the use of a photographic ticketing system to detect drivers who illegally pass school buses that are loading and unloading passengers.  
 
 
LS#3667
5/9/2013
GZ