NY S03644

Expands the definition of "pedestrian" in vehicle and traffic law to include highway workers, defined as persons engaged in work on behalf of federal, state, county, city, town, or other political subdivisions.

Increases penalties for drivers causing physical injury to pedestrians, highway workers, or bicyclists while failing to exercise due care: fine up to $500 or imprisonment up to 15 days or both.

Increases penalties for drivers causing serious physical injury to pedestrians, highway workers, or bicyclists while failing to exercise due care: fine up to $750, imprisonment up to 15 days, required motor vehicle accident prevention course, and/or license or registration suspension.

Establishes a rebuttable presumption that a driver's failure to exercise due care caused physical or serious physical injury to a pedestrian, highway worker, or bicyclist in violation of this section.

Authorizes police officers to arrest without a warrant any person who violates the physical or serious physical injury provisions when the violation is coupled with an accident or collision and the officer has reasonable cause to believe the person committed the violation.