NY Senate Passes Bill Protecting Bus Drivers Who Fatally Strike Pedestrians
(DNAINFO) Sybile Penhirin — A bill that protects city bus drivers who fatally strike pedestrians and bicyclists from immediate arrest as long as they are sober and licensed sped through theState Senate Tuesday less than two weeks after it was introduced.
It also states that law enforcement officers should give the bus driver a desk appearance ticket.
The bill is aimed at commercial bus drivers, which includes MTA bus drivers, taxis and livery drivers, according to reports.
If passed by the State Assembly, it would alter the current “Right of Way” law that states that if a pedestrian or bicyclist who has the right of way is struck by a bus driver, the driver might be arrested as well as subject to a $250 fine and 30 days in jail.
Last March, officials said that more than a quarter of the 22 motorists arrested under the Vision Zero law were MTA bus drivers.