Press-Republican

Albany Round-up

February 14, 2012

NY bill aims at vehicle-pedestrian crashes

ALBANY — A new bill in Albany would crack down on drivers who carelessly strike bicyclists and pedestrians.

The proposal would raise the sentence for a first offense to a $750 fine and up to 15 days in jail. A second offense could result in a misdemeanor charge.

The proposal by Democratic Sen. Daniel Squadron and Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh would build on the law passed over a year ago called Hayley and Diego's Law for the children killed in a 2009 crash in New York City's Chinatown.

The state legislators from Manhattan say the current law has a flaw. Right now, the law requires a police officer to witness the crash.

The bill would require only that an officer has reasonable cause to believe the law was broken.

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Albany Round-up