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Sponsors
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History
- Referred to transportation
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 penalties for the use of portable electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle
Purpose or general idea of bill
Increases the penalties for driving while distracted by the use of portable electronic devices.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends section 1225-a of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by section 7 of part B of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014.
Section 2: Sets the Effective Date.
Justification
Section 1225-d of the Vehicle and Traffic Law currently prohibits the use of portable electronic devices by a driver while the motor vehicle is in motion.
Through years of experience, it is now common knowledge that texting while operating a motor vehicle is extremely dangerous, as it forces the operator to take his or her eyes off the road as well as hands off the wheel, in the process, seriously endangering the lives of innocent motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. Not to mention, themselves.
Unfortunately, previous efforts at prohibiting and penalizing this reckless behavior have had less than the desired impact and texting while driving remains more widely tolerated than drunk driving, despite being at least as dangerous as alcohol-impaired driving, as determined by a study of the University of Utah.
This bill would increase the penalties for repeat offenders, including mandatory suspension for a third conviction within eighteen months.
Prior legislative history
This is a new bill.
Fiscal implications
No negative fiscal impact to the state.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth 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.