The NYS Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced last week that a new law requires stretch limousine operators to give passengers a safety presentation before their trip begins.
DMV officials said that the pre-trip briefing — similar to presentations given before airplanes take off — covers information about the vehicle’s safety features. These features include emergency exits, fire extinguishers, and window break tools, as well as instructions on how to use them.
The law, which went into effect on April 23, supports the state’s ongoing efforts to enhance limousine safety.
“The purpose of this safety briefing is to familiarize passengers with the safety features and tools available to them in case they ever need to use them,” said Mark J.F. Schroeder, commissioner of the DMV and chair of the governor’s traffic safety committee. “It’s just one of many steps the state has taken to make renting a limousine safer for consumers.”
Traditionally, customers rent limousines for special occasions such as proms, weddings and funerals.
“Stretch limousines are usually rented when someone is celebrating an important milestone or occasion,” Schroeder said. “They deserve to know that the vehicle is safe and what they can do to protect themselves if an emergency does happen.”
According to WWNY-TV, the law was sparked by a tragic 2018 limo crash in upstate New York that killed 20 people.
Meanwhile, there has been a significant crackdown on limousine regulations in recent years.
Since 2022, the DMV has revoked nearly 100 stretch limo registrations for fraudulent paperwork. The state agency has also pursued 21 “driver license actions” related to improperly registered limos since 2023.
More safety information is available at dmv.ny.gov.
