New drivers will have to learn about pedestrian and bicyclist safety when taking their pre-licensing exam under a bill approved Friday by Gov. Kathy Hochul. 

"My top priority as Governor is to keep New Yorkers safe, and it is common sense to make pedestrian and bike safety education mandatory for drivers," Hochul said. "This law will help prevent crashes and save lives, and I thank my partners in the Assembly and Senate for passing this legislation to make our streets safer."

The measure will add pedestrian and bike safety awareness to the pre-liensing exam before a new driver can obtain a license. The new law will also require bike and pedestrian safety guidelines for drviers in the state Department of Motor Vehicles instruction handbook. 

The measure comes after Hochul in June approved a bill that extended and expanded school zone speed cameras to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

"Ensuring drivers know how to safely share the road with pedestrians and bicyclists is crucial to keeping our streets as safe as possible," said state Sen. Andrew Gounardes, who sponsored the provision with Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher. "I'm thrilled that my bill to mandate drivers' education on safe road-sharing has been signed by the Governor, and I look forward to continuing our efforts to end traffic violence once and for all."