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History
- Referred to transportation
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.
Restricts the use of an electronic device while crossing a crosswalk; provides an exemption for the use of a hands free headset
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Michael DenDekker
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
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
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill will make it illegal to engage in the use of any "electronic device" in immediate proximity of a person while at crosswalks.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 will be amended by adding a new section § 1158, which prohibits the use of electronic devices in crosswalks. Under this section, the term "electronic device" shall mean any type of instrument, device or equipment which is designed to transmit and/or receive telephonic, electric digital signals and access service as well as any type of instrument designed to have sound and/or image recording or capturing capabilities including, but not limited to, mobile telephones, portable media players and wireless handheld devices provided that the term shall exempt the use of hands free headsets or calling devices.
Justification
With the growing dependency in technology based means of communication, distractions directly linked to electronic devices have skyrocketed as more and more become engrossed in what they're doing and forget that a moving vehicle is on a collision course with them. The uses of such devices are not only unsafe for the people engaged in them, but are unsafe for drivers and for bystanders waiting to cross the street, Nationally, pedestrian fatalities account for about 12 percent of overall traffic deaths, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association, with a rapid increase in 2010 after a four-year steady decline.
Prior legislative history
2015-16: A4146 Referred to Transportation; 2013-14: A4826 Referred to Transportation; 2012-11: A5434 Referred to Transportation.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
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.