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S 7465

Replaces each instance of the word accident with the word crash in relation to vehicle and traffic law

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brad Hoylman-Sigal

Replaces accident with crash in vehicle and traffic law, prompting updates to forms, reports, and public materials across agencies, courts, and police communications.

REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
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Bill Summary · S 7465

Summary of Bill S 7465

Overview

Bill S 7465 aims to standardize terminology in vehicle and traffic law by replacing every instance of the word “accident” with the word “crash.” The bill is sponsored by primary sponsor Brad Hoylman-Sigal and has been referred to the Transportation Committee.

  • Bill: S 7465
  • Title/Focus: Replaces each instance of the word “accident” with the word “crash” in relation to vehicle and traffic law
  • Status: Referred to Transportation
  • Introduced: April 17, 2025
  • Primary Sponsor: Brad Hoylman-Sigal
  • Related legislation: S 7271, S 3352, S 1858 (prior-session); A 7511 (companion)

Purpose and Intent

  • The central intent is to update statutory language to use “crash” instead of “accident” in vehicle and traffic law. This aligns terminology with contemporary safety-focused language and may reflect a shift in public and professional discourse around roadway incidents.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Core change: Substitution of the term “crash” for “accident” wherever it appears within vehicle and traffic law.
  • Scope: The change is described as a terminology update within vehicle and traffic statutes and related legal texts.
  • Substantive policy changes: The information available does not indicate changes to legal standards, fault determinations, liability rules, or penalties beyond the terminology used. The primary effect is linguistic and interpretive unless further text specifies additional revisions.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Government and agencies: State and local agencies responsible for vehicle and traffic law, including departments of transportation and motor vehicle authorities, may need to revise forms, manuals, signage, and internal guidance.
  • Legal community and courts: Attorneys, judges, and clerks who reference vehicle and traffic statutes would use “crash” terminology in interpretation and filings.
  • Public communications: Police reports, public safety materials, accident/crash reporting templates, and media/press materials may require updates.
  • General public: Drivers and others interacting with traffic laws could encounter updated terminology in statutes and notices.

Procedural Timeline and Next Steps

  • Current status: Referred to the Transportation Committee on April 17, 2025.
  • Next steps (typical legislative path): Potential committee hearings, amendments, and a vote in Transportation; if approved, progression to the next chamber and further legislative process.

Background and Related Legislation

  • Related bills from prior sessions include S 7271, S 3352, and S 1858.
  • A companion bill is A 7511 (listed as a companion in the provided materials).

Notes

  • The summary reflects the information available: the bill’s stated aim is terminology replacement within vehicle and traffic law. No additional policy changes are described in the provided materials. If enacted, institutions may need to coordinate administrative updates to reflect the new terminology consistently.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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