STATE OF NEW YORK
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
GEORGE E. PATAKI GOVERNOR

Press Office
518-474-8418
212-681-4640
http://www.state.ny.us

FOR RELEASE:          IMMEDIATE, Friday August 1, 2003

GOVERNOR SIGNS LEGISLATION TO CURB TRUCK ROUTE VIOLATIONS New Law increases Penalties for Truck Drivers Who Do Not Follow Designated Routes

Governor George E. Pataki today announced that he has signed into law legislation that will significantly increase penalties for New York State drivers who choose to ignore posted truck route signs.

The new law will help cut down on the heavy truck traffic many residential neighborhoods across the State, and particularly in New York City, have faced due to drivers who fail to use highways and designated truck routes. The use of residential roadways by trucks endangers pedestrians and motorists alike, as these roadways are not designed to handle this type of traffic.

"This new law will help make roads and neighborhoods through New York safer by increasing penalties on unsafe drivers who violate the rules of the road," Governor Pataki said. "While most truck drivers are safe, conscientious, and law-abiding, these tougher penalities will help to ensure that anyone who violates designated truck route signs is held accountable."

The new law will provide a stronger and more effective deterrent for keeping trucks off undesignated truck routes. Under the law, the maximum fine for a first violation will increase from $100 to $500; while the maximum fine for repeat offenders will be raised from $300 to $2,000. In addition, drivers who violate the law will have points added to their driving record.

State Senator Marty Golden said, "As a first-term State Senator, I am proud to have worked with two veteran lawmakers, Governor George Pataki and Assemblyman Joseph Lentol, on this important new law that greatly enhances the safety of children, seniors and pedestrians. Assemblyman Lentol and I worked hard to ensure that the Senate and Assembly sent a comprehensive bill to the Governor that cracks down on truck drivers illegally using residential streets. For too long, truck traffic off designated routes has resulted in tragic pedestrian deaths and lowered other quality of life issues in our communities. This new law enhances pedestrian safety by sending a strong message to truck drivers to stay off non-designated routes."

Assemblyman Joseph R. Lentol said, "The current fine has done little to deter these violations. The $50 fines are simply treated as the cost of doing business, like tolls or gas. Meanwhile, communities are disrupted as 18-wheelers speed down quietly tree-lined streets that serve as conduits to industrial areas. I am confident that increasing the minimum fine to $250 and escalating the fine to two thousand dollars for repeat offenders will be an effective tool in keeping our residential streets residential."

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Under the provision law, the maximum fine for violating a designated truck route was $100. Officials have found that this penalty didn't serve as an effective deterrent in keeping truck traffic from residential roadways, and was often "written off" by the violator as a cost of doing business when time is critical.

Raymond P. Martinez, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles said, "This new law will help protect our streets, our neighborhoods and families. This initiative is another example of Governor Pataki's commitment to making our roads, highways and communities safer from potential dangers."

The new law takes effect on November 1, 2003.

Copy of the Legislation

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