What's happening
This bill expands the definition of "in motion" for mobile phone and electronic device use violations to include stopped vehicles at lights, signs, crossings, or traffic jams.
Why it matters
Makes it illegal to use a mobile phone or electronic device even when your car is stopped at a red light, stop sign, railroad crossing, or in traffic jams. not just when the car is moving, closing a common loophole.
Increases potential for tickets and fines during everyday driving situations. where many drivers currently check their devices, such as waiting at signals or stopped in gridlock.
Aims to improve road safety by reducing distracted driving. at all times a vehicle is operational, addressing risks that occur even when vehicles are temporarily stationary.
Could impact ride-share drivers, delivery workers, and commuters. who often rely on brief stops to check devices, possibly altering common driving habits and enforcement practices.
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Who cares
Headline styles
No Phones at Red Lights
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to transportation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 59–1
- Ordered to third reading cal.1817
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to transportation
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to transportation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 52–11
- Ordered to third reading cal.1996
Show 2 earlier actions
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- 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 Phones at Red Lights
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Felix Ortiz
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1261
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 6, 2017
Introduced by Sen. MARCELLINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the use of mobile phones and portable electronic devices while driving
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 1225-c of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new paragraph (j) to read as follows:
(j) "While such vehicle is in motion" shall mean:
(i) any time a motor vehicle is moving;
(ii) any time a motor vehicle is stopped at a traffic light, stop sign, railroad crossing or any other traffic control device requiring a motor vehicle to stop; or
(iii) any time a motor vehicle is stopped because of heavy traffic congestion of a traffic jam.
§ 2. Subdivision 2 of section 1225-d of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new paragraph (e) to read as follows:
(e) "While such vehicle is in motion" shall mean:
(i) any time a motor vehicle is moving;
(ii) any time a motor vehicle is stopped at a traffic light, stop sign, railroad crossing or any other traffic control device requiring a motor vehicle to stop; or
(iii) any time a motor vehicle is stopped because of heavy traffic congestion of a traffic jam.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06014-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the use of mobile phones and portable electronic devices while driving
Purpose
This legislation would provide that a motor vehicle will be considered to be in motion while stopped at traffic control devices and stop signs for purposes of mobile phones and other electronic devices.
Summary of provisions
Amends Subdivision 1 of section 1225-c and subdivision 2 of section 1225-d of the vehicle and traffic law to provide that a motor vehicle will be considered to be in motion while stopped at traffic control devices, stop signs, railroad crossings or due to heavy traffic for purposes of mobile phones and other electronic devices.
Justification
Local law enforcement has raised the issue that under the current texting while driving and hand held cell phone bans, the definition of "while such vehicle is in motion" does not adequately cover a driver who is using their electronic device or cellular phone while at a traffic control device, stop sign or traffic congestion.
This legislation seeks to fix this problem with the current law by providing that a motor vehicle will be considered to be in motion while stopped at traffic control devices, stop signs, railroad crossings or due to heavy traffic for purposes of enforcing the ban on mobile phones and other electronic devices while driving.
Legislative history
Passed Senate, 2015/16. (S.731)
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth 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.