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Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 5
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Expands the definitions of vehicular assault in the first degree, vehicular assault in the second degree and reckless driving to include offenses involving use of a portable electronic device while driving
In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Felix Ortiz
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S5948
Title of bill
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to expanding the definitions of vehicular assault in the first degree and vehicular assault in the second degree to include offenses involving use of a portable electronic device while driving; and to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to expanding the definition of reckless driving to include offenses involving use of a portable electronic device while driving
Purpose
This legislation would expand the definitions of vehicular assault and reckless driving to include the use of portable electronic devices.
Summary of provisions
Sections 120.3 and 120.4 of the Penal Law are amended to expand the definitions of vehicular assault in the first degree and vehicular assault in the second degree to include offenses involving use of a portable electronic device while driving.
Section 1212 of the Vehicle and Traffic law is amended to expand the definition of reckless driving to include offenses involving use of a portable electronic device while driving.
Justification
Drivers, young and old, who use portable electronic devices while driving continue to put themselves and other drivers at serious risk. Inattention and inexperience is a deadly combination that puts themselves and others at risk. From 2005 to 2011, there has been an approximately 143% increase in cell phone-related crashes in New York State. In 2011, there were 25,165 fatal and personal injury crashes involving distracted driving in New York.
New York State has taken many great steps to combat this seemingly endless epidemic. This bill continues to build upon these efforts by expanding the definitions of vehicular assault and reckless driving to include the use of portable electronic devices.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date upon which 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.