Taxi drivers (both municipal services and private), as well as their passengers in the front seat will now be required to wear seat belts. The new rule provided by the state law, signed Tuesday by Governor Cuomo. The document will come into force from November this year.
«This is a security issue, and it is long overdue,» — said in Monday’s Daily News Republican Martin Golden. «Taxi drivers should do everything they do and more. It saves lives and prevents injuries».
According to the law, «no person can drive a taxi, if it is not wearing a seat belt. No person aged sixteen years and older should not be in the front seat of the taxi if he is not wearing a seat belt».
Violators may be fined up to $ 100 per incident.
Clarification on whether the new rule drivers are Uber and Lyft has not yet been received. Martin Golden said that if they are not included, it will require the adoption of another law that would cover companies involved in joint trips.
This leaves open the question of the use of seat belts by police. Supporters of the measure argue that it is right, because the patrol often ride at high speed, pursuing criminals or rushing to a call. Opponents of the measure do not agree with this opinion, believing that wearing seat belts will slow down the speed of the reaction of the police and provide them with the inconvenience, because they are often forced to get out of the car.
