More than 130 police officers have been killed nationwide in the last ten years. A new piece of legislation is working to keep emergency responders safe while on the roads.
Sen. Tom Libous introduced the Crash Zone Safety Act yesterday morning at the Prospect Mountain Fire Department. The act would require drivers to slow down 20 mph under the speed limit, move over when passing a crash scene and establish a 500 ft. emergency speed zone around the crash site, as well as created larger penalties for violators. Violators of the act would be responsible for triple the damages if they were to be sued for damages of death, injuries or property damage. The potential law would create an education program to alert people of the new law, the Emergency Zone Safety Education Fund, which would be funded by violators’ tickets for breaking the law. There would be a mandatory surcharge of $100 to $250 on top of the traffic ticket. Local and state leaders, firefighters and law enforcement said this law would save dozens of lives, if not more, each year. Police cars, firefighters and even tow trucks would qualify as emergency vehicles. Repeat offenders could face vehicular assault, vehicular manslaughter and criminal mischief charges. Sen. Libous is the sponsor of the bill and said he hopes this act will turn into a law for all of New York this spring.
