BY WILLIAM HARRIS
Scratched cars, broken mirrors and other vehicular damage across Douglaston, Flushing, Little Neck and Whitestone have local residents — and a local lawmaker — fed up.
State Senator Tony Avella announced on Feb. 5 that he’s seeking passage of new legislation that would reform the driving school industry.
“The time has come to regulate this industry to prevent the disturbances and hazardous conditions that these driving schools create,” Avella said.
If the legislation passes and becomes law, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) would be mandated to give information regarding to where the driving school locations will be. In addition, the DMV Commissioner will “prescribe such reasonable rules and regulations as he or she deems necessary to prevent the over saturation of such instruction within residential neighborhoods.”
Avella is also seeking necessary “student driver” signage that includes information of the driving schools on vehicles used to train new drivers. This allows the victims to know which schools are directly responsible for any damage caused by the driving school vehicles.
The legislation was not voted on last year, but with the two-year session calendar in place, the bill is under consideration again this year. It is now before the state Senate’s Transportation Committee.
Any additional issues with driving schools in Queens may contact Senator Avella’s District Office at 718-357-3094.
