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Hochul Signs Legislation To Expand Pedestrian And Bicyclist Safety

Brendan J. OReilly on Jul 18, 2022

Last week, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that requires new drivers to learn about pedestrian and bicyclist safety awareness as a component of the prelicensing exam and as a prerequisite for obtaining a license to operate a motor vehicle.

“My top priority as governor is to keep New Yorkers safe, and it is common sense to make pedestrian and bike safety education mandatory for drivers,” Governor Hochul said. “This law will help prevent crashes and save lives, and I thank my partners in the Assembly and Senate for passing this legislation to make our streets safer.”

The legislation adds curriculum to the prelicensing course that includes an overview of traffic laws governing motor vehicle operators’ duty to exercise care with respect to pedestrians and bicyclists. This legislation also requires that pedestrian and bicyclist safety be added to the Department of Motor Vehicles instruction handbook.

Bike New York President and CEO Ken Podziba said, “We’re thrilled that Governor Hochul is requiring that bicycle and pedestrian safety be added to the DMV curriculum. Bike New York has been fighting for this simple solution to happen for many years because pedestrians and bicyclists are the most vulnerable road users and education helps save lives. We’re all deeply concerned about the unaccepted increase in cyclists and pedestrians being killed by motor vehicles and we can’t thank the governor enough for her leadership in this critical battle against traffic violence.”

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