State Passes Marcellino Wrong-Way Driving Bill

State Sen. announced Thursday that the state Senate has passed his bill, S.938, requiring the departments of Transportation (DOT) and Motor Vehicles (DMV) to develop a comprehensive program to combat wrong way driving.

“There have been too many unjust deaths that did not have to happen if the wrong-way drivers were prevented from entering the highway the wrong-way," Marcellino said. "While we have taken excellent steps to combat drunk driving and increase penalties for wrong way driving, we still need to address the ease at which these wrong way drivers are entering our State highways and roads."

Specifically, the legislation would require DMV and DOT to investigate possible reasons for the problem of wrong way drivers on interstate highways, assess what other states have done to address this problem, set forth possible solutions to the problem and implement measures to reduce the problem of wrong way drivers.

The issue was brought to Marcellino by Colleen Rey Cassar. Her father, Huntington resident John Rey, was hit head-on and killed by a drunk driver July 5, 2010 on the Long Island Expressway. The drunk driver entered the LIE going the wrong direction.

"The Rey family has devoted their efforts to help prevent another family from having to suffer a painful and devastating loss at the hands of a wrong way driver," Marcellino said. "This bill, done in honor of John Rey, will allow the experts at DOT and DMV to study and establish a viable solution that will make our roads safer for all New Yorkers."