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- Referred to transportation
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Restricts the use of an electronic device while crossing a crosswalk in N.Y. city
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Vito Lopez
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S1945
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to restricting the use of an electronic device while crossing the crosswalk in a city with a population of one million or more
Purpose
Restricts the use of electronic devices while crossing a crosswalk in a city with a population of one million or more.
Summary of provisions
This bill amends the vehicle and traffic law by adding a new section 1158 which (a) Defines the terms "electronic device," "engaging in the use of," "immediate proximity," and "crosswalk"
(b) States the no person shall enter and cross a crosswalk while engaging in the use of an electronic device in a city with a population of one million or more
(c) States that a user of an electronic device who holds such device to, or in the immediate proximity of his or her ear, is presumed to be engaging in the use of said device
(d) States that the provisions of this section shall not allow for the seizure of forfeiture of the electronic device and
(e) A person who violates subdivision (b) of this section shall be issued a summons for a violation of this section and shall pay a civil fine of one hundred dollars.
Justification
Since September, three pedestrians have been killed and one critically injured while crossing the street listening to electronic music devices. The use of electronic devices while crossing the street poses a threat to the public safety of pedestrians and motorists. It is impossible to be fully aware of ones own surroundings when occupied in using an electronic device. This legislation would eliminate this threat to public safety. This legislation is seeking that people take a few seconds of their time to stop using their electronic devices while crossing the street. A few seconds that can save a person's life.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.