FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 11, 2020
CONTACT: Pete Daniels / [email protected] / 301-442-2249 (C)
Statement of Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, Commending New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) on Signing Lifesaving Seat Belt Upgrade
Law Honors the State’s Safety Legacy by Protecting All Motor Vehicle Occupants
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) applauds New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) for signing Senate Bill (S.) 4336 / Assembly Bill (A.) 6163 into law to save lives by closing a gap in the state’s seat belt law and requiring all occupants to buckle up. We also extol the efforts of the bills’ sponsors, Senator David Carlucci (D) and Assemblyman Walter Mosley (D), and the New York State Legislature for passing the bill in March 2020. Starting November 1, 2020, all motorists in New York over age 16 will be required to wear seat belts, a move that will save lives, reduce injuries and curb crash costs throughout the state. Advocates would also like to acknowledge the efforts of organizations representing traffic safety, public health and medical professionals, emergency responders and the insurance industry, who repeatedly advocated on behalf of this proven safeguard.
In 1984, Governor Mario Cuomo (D) put New York on the map as a safety champion when he signed the Nation’s first primary enforcement law for drivers and front seat passengers. Actions taken today enshrines New York as the 20th state along with Washington, D.C. in requiring rear seat passengers to use a seat belt. Governor Andrew Cuomo has sent a strong message that New York is committed to reducing preventable motor vehicle crash fatalities and injuries, now and for decades to come.
The use of a seat belt can mean the difference between life and death, and walking away from a crash or suffering serious, lifelong injuries. By enacting this sensible countermeasure, New York has sent a clear message: All occupants must buckle up on every ride.
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is an alliance of consumer, medical, public health, law enforcement and safety groups and insurance companies and agents working together to make America’s roads safer. Advocates’ mission is the adoption of federal and state laws, policies and programs that prevent motor vehicle crashes, save lives, reduce injuries, and contain costs.
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