Int 0286-2022

Be it enacted by the Council as follows: Section 1. Section 24-241 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law 113 for the year 2005, is amended to read as follows: � 24-241. Emergency signal devices. [(a)]a. No person shall operate or use or cause to be operated or used any emergency signal device, except on an authorized emergency vehicle when such vehicle is in the act of responding to an emergency; provided that such device shall not be operated for a period of time longer than is necessary to respond to such emergency. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such a device on a motor vehicle shall be lawful if designed and used solely as an audible motor vehicle burglar alarm in accordance with section 24-238 and a device attached to a vehicle for the purpose of providing an audible warning when the vehicle is backing up shall be permitted even though the audible warning may consist of a gong or bell sound. [(b)]b. No person shall operate or permit to be operated an emergency signal device installed on an authorized emergency vehicle [that] unless: 1. [when]When operated at the maximum level such emergency signal device creates a sound level [in excess of] that does not exceed 90 dB(A) when measured at a distance of fifty feet from the center of the forward face of such vehicle; and 2. Such emergency signal device produces an alternating high and low, two-toned sound in accordance with implementation standards established by the department. c. Within one year after the effective date of [this] subdivision b and every two years thereafter, emergency signal devices installed on authorized emergency vehicles shall be tested and certification shall be submitted, in a form approved by the department, that such devices meet the standards set forth in [this] subdivision b for operation at maximum level and with an alternating high and low two-toned sound. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, where compliance with the provisions of [this] subdivision b would create an undue hardship, the owner or operator of an authorized emergency vehicle may submit a plan to the commissioner for emergency signal devices to meet the standards set forth in [this] subdivision b within two years after the effective date of [this] subdivision b. Such plan shall be submitted within one year after the effective date of [this] subdivision b in lieu of the required certification. [This subdivision shall not apply to authorized emergency vehicles of the police department, fire department or authorized emergency vehicles responding to medical emergencies.] � 2. This local law takes effect 180 days after it becomes law. Session 12: SS LS #7788 3/31/22 Session 11: PLS LS #4491, 8284 Int. 1438-2019