Scene of a fatal crash between a limousine and sports utility vehicle in Cutchogue, N.Y. in 2015. Photo: Randee Daddona/Newsday via AP

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday signed into law a series of limousine safety reforms aimed to tighten regulations in the wake of a deadly crash that killed 20 people in Schoharie in 2018.

The 10-point package, which cleared the Legislature last month, includes new seat belt requirements, new commercial driver's license requirements for limousine drivers, and increased penalties for illegal U-turns.

"These far-reaching reforms deliver much-needed protections that will help keep dangerous vehicles off our roadways, crack down on businesses that do not prioritize safety and will give New Yorkers piece of mind when they enter a limo in this state," Cuomo said in a statement.

Among the new regulations, any motor vehicles converted into stretch limousines on or after Jan. 1, 2021 will be required to have at least two safety belts for the front seat and at least one safety belt in the rear for each passenger the vehicle was designed to hold. All stretch limousines will also need to be retrofitted to include seat belts by Jan. 1, 2023.

Any drivers operating limos carrying nine or more people, including the driver, will also be required to obtain a passenger-endorsed commercial driver's licence, and all stretch limos will be outfitted with GPS technology designed specifically for commercial vehicles upon the creation of federal standards.

All motor carriers were also required to keep a list of each altered motor vehicle designed to carry nine or more passengers to be reviewed by the commissioner of motor vehicles each year. The Department of Motor Vehicles must annually update its website to provide information on carriers operating stretch limousines and data on limousine operations and drivers.

Illegal U-turns will be punished by a fine of up to $400 and 15 days in prison, with escalating penalties for repeat offenses, and the Commissioner of Transportation will be authorized to impound "defective" stretch limos until the vehicles are certified to have passed reinspection.

Large for-hire vehicle drivers and motor carriers will also be subject to preemployment and random drug and alcohol testing.

The changes were inspired by the deadly crash in Schoharie, which killed 17 passengers, a driver and two pedestrians about 30 miles outside of Albany in October 2018, as well as a 2015 crash that took the lives of four young women in Cutchogue in 2015.

Reform advocates have long pushed for changes to strengthen lax industry regulations, but similar legislation stalled last year in Albany after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement.

Bill sponsors on Monday praised the new laws as critical safety measures that would help to avoid further disasters on the roads.

"The unimaginable tragedies that took place in Cutchogue and Schoharie were a rude awakening for all New Yorkers about the safety of stretch limousines," state Sen. Anna Kaplan said. "As lawmakers, we have a duty to families across the state to take action to prevent such senseless tragedy from ever happening again, and I'm very proud to sponsor legislation as part of that effort to keep our residents safe."

"New York stands with those who lost loved one in the horrific crashes that inspired this legislation, and I commend the family members who worked tirelessly to help pass these bills to help prevent future tragedies," Cuomo added.

The changes also include the creation of a "passenger task force" to review "matters influencing the safety, adequacy, efficiency and reliability of stretch limousine transportation."

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