Relates to components of instruction for accident prevention courses

• Republican1

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Pamela Helming says this is needed

Auto Insurance rates have been rising year over year, and a primary cost driver of auto insurance premium increases is an uptick of risky behav- ior of drivers. These behaviors include the use of Cannabis within an hour of driving, and the use of portable electronic devices while driv- ing. New York state policymakers and insurance companies have supported motor vehicle accident prevention courses as effective ways to educate drivers on the dangers of driving. Drivers are encouraged to take these courses through insurance companies offering reduced premiums for course completion. These driver safety education programs offered by insurance companies, as authorized in state law, are shown to be effective due to their correlation with risk reduction, and impact on lowering accident rates. Particularly in New York, where adult and medical Cannabis use was recently legalized, rates of accidents and law enforcement encounters involving drivers who are under the influence of Cannabis has spiked. This ultimately makes costs of insuring drivers in this state higher for everyone. Across the U.S., Cannabis is reported to be the third most commonly used substance after nicotine and alcohol. A recent AAA study (see: haps://aaafoundation.orglexamination-of-ca inabis-users-perceptionsand-self-reporied-behaviors-to-inform-messaging- to-deter-impaired-drivingl ) alarmingly showed that more than 53% of Cannabis users drove within an hour of consuming it, and over 60% of Cannabis users who drive hold the perception that their driving is either the same or better after use. Medical evidence of using Cannabis, a psychotropic drug, and rising accident rates have shown otherwise. According to data collected by the Federal Highway Administration, over a third of drivers admit to driving while holding and talking on a cell phone, and to reading a text or email on a cell phone. While New York has outlawed this behavior while driving, it persists on our roadways and is still a significant cause of accidents. By ensuring that drivers who take existing drivers safety courses offered by insurance companies are receiving up to date information and a special focus on Cannabis use and Portable Electronic Device use while driving, our roads will get safer, and public awareness of the high risk of these behaviors will be better understood. This ultimately will bene- fit both public safety and drive a reduction in auto insurance costs as drivers engage in safer road behavior.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.