What's happening
This bill adds a $100 surcharge for using mobile phones or electronic devices while driving in work areas or school zones.
Why it matters
Targets High-Risk Areas. By focusing on work areas and school zones, the bill aims to protect some of the most vulnerable road users—children and highway workers—where the consequences of distracted driving can be especially severe.
Creates a Financial Deterrent. The $100 surcharge, on top of existing fines, is meant to serve as a stronger deterrent, making drivers think twice before using a device in these sensitive zones.
Defines "Work Area" and "School Zone". The bill provides clear legal definitions for both terms, reducing ambiguity about where the enhanced penalties apply and making enforcement more consistent.
Signals Policy Priorities. The additional surcharge reflects a legislative emphasis on safety in environments where distraction can quickly lead to tragedy, potentially influencing driver behavior and public awareness more broadly.
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Who cares
Drivers
The bill would add a $100 surcharge to existing penalties for mobile telephone or portable electronic device violations in work areas or school zones.
Highway workers and road contractors
The added surcharge would apply in highway work areas where workers, vehicles, equipment, materials or other obstructions are present.
Schools, students and parents
The bill would impose the added surcharge for violations along highways passing school buildings, entrances or exits where the required school sign is posted.
Headline styles
Raise Phone Fines Near Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 61
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3782
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 27, 2017
Introduced by Sens. RANZENHOFER, AVELLA -- 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 surcharges for the use of mobile telephones or the use of portable electronic devices while in a work area or school zone
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1225-c of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new subdivision 5 to read as follows:
5. (a) A violation of subdivision two of this section while in a work area or school zone shall be a traffic infraction and shall be punishable by a surcharge of one hundred dollars which shall be in addition to the amounts prescribed in subdivision four of this section.
(b) For purposes of this subdivision:
i. "Work area" shall mean that part of a highway being used or occupied for the conduct of highway work, within which workers, vehicles, equipment, materials, supplies, excavations, or other obstructions are present.
ii. "School zone" shall mean the distance along a highway passing a school building, entrance or exit of a school abutting on the highway for which a school sign (S1-1) has been posted pursuant to this chapter and in compliance with the manual on uniform traffic control devices maintained pursuant to section sixteen hundred eighty of this chapter.
§ 2. Section 1225-d of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new subdivision 7 to read as follows:
7. (a) A violation of this section while in a work area or school zone shall be a traffic infraction and shall be punishable by a surcharge of one hundred dollars which shall be in addition to the amounts prescribed in subdivision six of this section.
(b) For purposes of this subdivision:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07954-01-7
S. 3782 2
i. "Work area" shall mean that part of a highway being used or occupied for the conduct of highway work, within which workers, vehicles, equipment, materials, supplies, excavations, or other obstructions are present.
ii. "School zone" shall mean the distance along a highway passing a school building, entrance or exit of a school abutting on the highway for which a school sign (S1-1) has been posted pursuant to this chapter and in compliance with the manual on uniform traffic control devices maintained pursuant to section sixteen hundred eighty of this chapter.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
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 surcharges for the use of mobile telephones or the use of portable electronic devices while in a work area or school zone
Purpose
To help to protect school children and highway workers
Summary of provisions
Section 1 - amends section 1225-c of the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding a new subdivision 5 which adds an additional $100 surcharge to the applicable fines for using a mobile telephone when operating a motor vehicle in a school zone or work area. This section also defines a work area and school zone for the purposes of the subdivision.
Section 2 - amends section 1225-d of the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding a new subdivision 7 which adds an additional $100 surcharge to the applicable fines for using a portable electronic device when operating a motor vehicle in a school zone or work area. This section also defines a work area and school zone for the purposes of the subdivision.
Section 3 - provides that this act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become law.
Justification
It is now well recognized that using a mobile telephone or a portable electronic device while operating a motor vehicle distracts the driver and is dangerous to the driver, any occupants in the vehicle and to other vehicles and nearby pedestrians. It is particularly dangerous in work areas, where workers may be located near traffic flow, and in school zones where children, or their parents, are frequently walking and crossing streets. In either situation, the margin for error is much reduced, and it is critical that motorists direct all of their attention to observing where they are going and what is happening around them. This bill will help to protect both children and workers from drivers who are distracted by mobile telephones or portable electronic devices.
Legislative history
2013-14 - S.6728-A - TRANSPORTATION 2015-16 - S.3387 -- TRANSPORTATION
Fiscal implications
None to state.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the 60th day after it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.