What's happening
This bill prohibits operating vehicles with devices that interfere with traffic signals, with penalties increasing for misuse causing injury or death.
Why it matters
Targets illegal use of devices. that can manipulate traffic lights, aiming to stop drivers from gaining unfair advantages or disrupting traffic flow, which can endanger public safety.
Creates a “knowledge presumption,”. meaning if such a device is found connected and working in your car, you’re presumed to know about it—unless you can prove otherwise—making it easier for law enforcement to prosecute violations.
Escalates penalties based on harm caused. simple possession and use are treated as infractions or misdemeanors, but if misuse leads to injury or death, charges can rise to a felony level, reflecting the seriousness of the consequences.
Allows exceptions. for emergency vehicles, public transit, and authorized workers doing maintenance, ensuring that legitimate uses for public safety and operations aren’t criminalized.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Traffic Signal Tampering Devices
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to transportation
- 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.
Ban Signal-Changing Devices
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor William J. Larkin Jr.
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
278
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 5, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. GUNTHER, MONTESANO -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. RIVERA -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to prohibiting the use of any device which affects the operation of a traffic-control signal
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section 397-c to read as follows:
§ 397-c. Interference with a traffic-control signal. 1. No person shall operate any motor vehicle, except an authorized emergency vehicle or authorized public transportation vehicle, which he or she knows is equipped with a device capable of affecting the operation of any traffic-control signal. The presence in a motor vehicle of such a device connected to a power source and in an operable condition is presumptive evidence of the operator's knowledge of the device. Such presumption shall be rebutted by any creditable evidence which tends to show that the operator of the motor vehicle was not aware of the presence of such device.
2. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any person using such a device while engaged in the authorized maintenance or repair of a traffic-control signal.
3. A violation of subdivision one of this section shall constitute a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than three hundred dollars.
4. A violation of subdivision one of this section while using such a device to affect the operation of a traffic-control signal shall constitute a class A misdemeanor.
5. A violation of subdivision one of this section while using such a device to affect the operation of a traffic-control signal and such use
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02737-01-7
A. 278 2
causes personal injury or death as a result of its effect on a trafficcontrol signal shall constitute a class E felony.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.