"We've known for decades that seat belts save lives and
with this measure we are further strengthening our laws and helping to prevent
needless tragedies," Governor Cuomo said. "It was under my father's
leadership that New York became the first state in the country to pass a seat
belt law, and the nation followed his lead. Now we are building upon this
legacy and helping to create a safer and stronger Empire State for all."
In 1984, under Governor Mario Cuomo, New York became the
first state to pass a mandatory seat belt law and in the same year, according
to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, approximately 16 percent of
individuals wore seat belts. By 2008, 24 years after the law was enacted, the
compliance rate was up to 89 percent.
Senator David Carlucci said, "The injuries you can
sustain from not wearing a seat belt can be deadly, and that's a fact whether
you sit in the front or the back of a vehicle. With this bill signed into law,
we will help prevent tragedies and save lives in New York. Thank you to the
advocates, including AAA for their strong support of this legislation."
Assembly Member Walter Mosley said, "Seatbelts are a
proven way to make our roads safer and lower the number of automobile fatalities.
This legislation will go a long way towards achieving that goal and ensuring
that all passengers are safe when traveling. I thank Governor Cuomo for signing
this bill into law and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our
state."
The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee has indicated 30
percent of highway deaths in New York are occupants unrestrained by a seat
belt. Safety experts believe that the use of a backseat seat belt could prevent
over two thirds of fatalities and serious injuries resulting from crashes. This
legislation seeks to reduce automobile accident fatalities and casualties by
requiring all occupants of a motor vehicle to buckle up. The new law takes
effect November 1.
