This bill would create a class B misdemeanor for road rage. Road rage would be defined as engaging in violent or threatening behavior towards the operator or occupants of a qualifying vehicle, or against a pedestrian, while or immediately after operating a qualifying vehicle, or as a passenger thereof. Qualifying vehicles would include cars, motor vehicles and bicycles. Road rage could lead to property damage, personal injury and even death for participants and bystanders. This risk is significantly increased on city streets and highways, where motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic is particularly concentrated. Creating a road rage offense could deter and reduce the occurrence of these events and lead to safer streets for city drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians alike.
- Filed (End of Session)
History
Int. No. 1752
By Council Member Greenfield
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to creating a class B misdemeanor for road rage
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Subchapter 2 of chapter 1 of title 19 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 19-175.6 to read as follows:
§ 19-175.6 Road rage. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the term “qualifying vehicle” means a motor vehicle as defined in section 125 of the vehicle and traffic law or a bicycle as defined in section 102 of the vehicle and traffic law.
b. Prohibition. A person is guilty of road rage when, while operating or immediately after operating a qualifying vehicle, the person engages in violent or threatening behavior toward a pedestrian or an operator or occupant of another qualifying vehicle.
c. Misdemeanor. The violation of subdivision b of this section constitutes a class B misdemeanor.
§ 2. This local law takes effect 180 days after it becomes law, except that the commissioner of transportation may take such measures as are necessary for the implementation of this local law before such date.
PLS
LS #9046
8/30/2017