Coalition of Bronx & Manhattan Legislators Stand Up for Taxi and Livery Drivers: Legislators urged the passage of a critical amendment to benefit the livelihood of this hard working industry

USANEWSONLINE.COM DESK, ALBANY, NY – Fighting for taxi and livery drivers, a coalition of state legislators from the Bronx and Manhattan have successfully negotiated amendments to new seat belt safety legislation. The amendments would protect drivers from liability under the new state law if a passenger refuses to wear a seat belt. Led by Assembly Members Victor Pichardo, Carmen De La Rosa, Karines Reyes, Latoya Joyner, Marcos Crespo, Robert Rodriguez and Senators Luis Sepulveda, Robert Jackson, and Jose Serrano. The coalition obtained critical amendments for the industry. The amended language, done through the adoption of a chapter amendment, would ensure that taxi and livery drivers would not receive a ticket when a minor who is a passenger in their vehicle elects not to wear their seatbelt. The amended legislation places the legal liability on the parent of the child, if they are in the car with the minor, and mandates that the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles conduct an outreach campaign to inform the taxi drivers about the new law and that all taxis contain signage informing passengers about their responsibility to wear a seat belt.
“Many of my neighbors rely on driving for-hire vehicles to make a living, said Assemblymember Victor M. Pichardo (D-Bronx). While wearing a seatbelt is a common sense safety precaution, passengers or the parents of young passengers should be responsible for wearing one – not the drivers – and we shouldn’t put these New Yorkers’ livelihoods at risk because someone refuses to buckle up.”
“The livery industry was born out of our communities and its members have become an ever present force of empowerment as they work to service our neighborhoods, said Assemblywoman Carmen De La Rosa (D-Northern Manhattan). I was proud to work with my colleagues on amendments that improve upon seat belt requirements and maintain safety as a priority while understanding the plight of livery drivers. The reality for drivers who are doing their job, is they can not forcefully compel passengers nor deny them rides in New York City. Personal responsibility and education are a critical component to ensure everyone is safe and this legislation ensures this priority.”
“Accidents happen daily, and passengers should take all precautions to protect themselves, and any accompanying children, by fastening their seat belts,” Assemblywoman Karines Reyes (D-Bronx) asserted. “By placing the sole responsibility of safety onto taxi and livery drivers, we ignore the personal responsibility of passengers. This burden adversely impacts drivers in immigrant communities, like the one I represent, who are simply doing what they can to achieve the American Dream. We can save lives without compromising the livelihoods of our drivers.”
“As we make New York’s roadways safer for all travelers, it is essential to ensure that it is done fairly and without placing undue burdens upon legitimate taxi and livery drivers who are providing an honest service to the traveling public” Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner (D-Bronx) said. “With this legislation we are providing relief to a diverse and largely immigrant community of small business owners while not compromising public safety.”
“It’s a reasonable solution for the legal liability of young passenger seatbelt compliance to be placed on the parent or guardian, and not on taxi and livery drivers” said Assembly Member Robert Rodriguez (D-Manhattan). Our goal is to improve the safety of everyone in the vehicle in a manner that doesn’t create detrimental effects on the drivers – a majority of whom are immigrants, working class relying on driving to make a living. Along with outreach campaigns, the amendment will improve passenger safety and protect drivers.” “Los cambios que impulsó esta pieza de ley aseguran que el propósito de promover mayor seguridad en las carreteras y salvar vidas, pero a la vez no impondrá injustas penalidades a los choferes que siguen las reglas y hacen todo posible para asegurar a sus pasajeros. Mis colegas y yo entendimos el llamado de los choferes y logramos mejorar la propuesta para todos.” Asambleísta Marcos Crespo (D-Bronx).
“As we make progress towards stronger transportation safety standards in New York, we must ensure these comprehensively benefit everyone, particularly those most impacted. Taxi and livery drivers are the lifeline for many communities in NYC, and I am proud to stand with my colleagues to make these amendments which will guarantee the protection of both passengers and drivers, without unfairly penalizing anyone.” New York State Senator Luis R. Sepulveda (D-Bronx) said. 
Senator Robert Jackson(D- Manhattan, 31st District) said: “This bill is good, common sense legislation! Drivers of for-hire vehicles should not be responsible for minors wearing seat belts in their vehicles. That’s the job of a parent or guardian. I’m happy to support this bill and eager to see it become law so that drivers in my district and beyond won’t be on the hook for the safety of minors who aren’t their own. Thanks to the coalition and the advocates for their work in ensuring its passage.”
The New York State Legislature recently passed a package of seatbelt safety legislation in the wake of the Schoharie County limousine crash in 2018. One bill, Assembly Bill 8990/Senate Bill 7134, would require taxi or livery passengers 16 years and older to wear seatbelts regardless of their seating position, and prohibit a person from operating the taxi or livery unless all passengers between the ages of eight and 15 are restrained by seat belts. This legislation would have made taxi and livery drivers legally liable for young passengers that refuse to comply with the new seatbelt law. The coalition of legislators in the New York State Assembly, after hearing about the negative and detrimental impact that this legislation would have on taxi drivers, a majority of which are immigrants, whose sole livelihood is dependent on their ability to drive, joined together to get the legislation amended. 
“We thank this coalition of legislators for standing up for our community. If this seat belt law had passed unchanged, our drivers would have faced unnecessary punishment for the actions of passengers that they cannot control. When a driver gets a ticket, they must take a day off from work, losing that day’s pay, and potentially be fined and have points assessed to their license. Because we have strong representation in Albany, we were able to have the law changed to protect our drivers, said Cira Angeles-spokesperson for Livery Base Owners.” “Livery Base Owners is a trade association representing small community car service bases in the City of New York. Their members bases serve passengers in The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood.” Adoption of this common sense legislation was facilitated through negotiations with the Speaker of the Assembly, Carl Heastie and the chairman of the Assembly Committee on Transportation, William Magnerelli. Press Release.