What’s Next? Senator Hoylman’s Bill To Mandate Seatbelt Use In Taxis And Livery Vehicles Passes

Today, the New York State Senate voted to pass S.7134/A.8990, sponsored by Senator Brad Hoylman, which will require all passengers aged 8 years or older to wear seatbelts in taxi and livery vehicles.

The legislation passed both houses of the New York State Legislature today and will be signed by Governor Cuomo.

Senator Hoylman: “Studies show that wearing a seatbelt in the back seat of a car can reduce crash fatalities by as much as 60 percent. Seatbelts save lives, but so do seatbelt laws.”

Senator Hoylman said, “Passengers often have a false sense of security in taxis, but even minor fender-benders can cause serious injury because passengers are thrown headfirst into the plastic partition meant to protect drivers. Studies show that wearing a seatbelt in the back seat of a car can reduce crash fatalities by as much as 60 percent. Seatbelts save lives, but so do seatbelt laws. With my legislation passed today by the Senate and the Assembly requiring passengers 8 years and older to wear seatbelts in taxis, New York is finally joining more than half of U.S. states that require them.”

Senator Hoylman’s bill S.7134/A.8990, co-sponsored by Assembly Member William Magnarelli, requires any taxi or livery passenger aged 8 years or older to wear a seat belt. The legislation was passed in the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly as part of a three-way agreement with the Senate, the Assembly and the Governor’s office, and will be signed into law by Governor Cuomo in the coming weeks.

In 2017, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) renewed its recommendation that all vehicle passengers – including those in for-hire vehicles – wear seat belts after studying the tragic 2018 Schoharie stretch limousine crash.

Editors’ Note: It looks like it may be time to look at seat belts for buses and/or all public transportation where the customer is seated (trains, subway cars, etc.,).