What's happening
This bill doubles fines for illegally passing a stopped school bus if the driver is using a mobile phone or electronic device.
Why it matters
Targets especially dangerous behavior. By doubling fines specifically when a driver is both passing a stopped school bus and using a mobile device, the bill aims to deter the combination of two high-risk actions that significantly endanger children’s safety.
Creates a stronger deterrent for distracted driving. The increased financial penalty may make drivers think twice about using phones or electronic devices near school buses, reinforcing the seriousness of both traffic safety and anti-distracted driving laws.
Reflects recognition of evolving risks. The amendment acknowledges that distracted driving (due to mobile devices) is a growing problem and adapts school bus safety laws to address modern threats not originally contemplated when earlier statutes were written.
Signals legislative prioritization of student safety. By imposing stricter penalties for violations involving technology, the bill demonstrates a legislative commitment to protecting children around school buses and adapting enforcement to current driving habits.
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Who cares
Drivers using phones or portable electronic devices
They would face doubled minimum and maximum fines for illegally passing a stopped school bus while using those devices.
Repeat traffic offenders
Drivers with a third or subsequent violation within three years would face fines of $1,500 to $2,000 if using a covered device during the offense.
Schoolchildren and their parents
The bill would increase financial penalties for device-using drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses.
Traffic courts and law enforcement agencies
They would need to account for device use when applying the doubled fine ranges, while existing jail terms would remain unchanged.
Headline styles
Double Fines for School Bus Violations
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1188
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 11, 2019
Introduced by Sen. RITCHIE -- 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 increasing and modifying the penalties associated with passing a stopped school bus when using a portable electronic device or mobile telephone
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision (c) of section 1174 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 254 of the laws of 2002, is amended to read as follows:
(c) Every person convicted of a violation of subdivision (a) of this section shall: for a first conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than four hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days or by both such fine and imprisonment; for a conviction of a second violation, both of which were committed within a period of three years, such person shall be punished by a fine of not less than six hundred dollars nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one hundred eighty days or by both such fine and imprisonment; upon a conviction of a third or subsequent violation, all of which were committed within a period of three years, such person shall be punished by a fine of not less than seven hundred fifty dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one hundred eighty days or by both such fine and imprisonment. The prescribed minimum and maximum values for fines under this subdivision shall be doubled if the offense was committed while using a portable electronic device, as defined in paragraph (b) of subdivision two of section twelve hundred twenty-five-d or a mobile telephone, as defined in paragraph (a) of subdivision one of section twelve hundred twenty-five-c of this chapter.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02291-02-9
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 increasing and modifying the penalties associated with passing a stopped school bus when using a portable electronic device or mobile telephone
Purpose
To double the fines imposed on violators of section 1174, title 7, arti- cle 29, of the state Vehicle and Traffic Law who violate that statue while physically engaged with an electronic device not permanently inte- grated with the vehicle, or using a mobile telephone.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Amends section 1174, title 7, article 29, of the state Vehi- cle and Traffic Law by doubling the fine for violating that section of law while physically engaged with an electronic device not permanently integrated with the vehicle, or using a mobile telephone.
Section 2: States that the act shall take effect ninety days after this bill shall have become law.
Justification
Our State's children are endangered every day by motorists who fail to stop for school buses that have their red lights flashing to indicate that children are boarding or leaving the bus. Data suggests that there may be tens of thousands of instances per month where drivers illegally pass a stopped school bus statewide. Such acts endanger our children. To reduce the safety problem of illegal passing of stopped school buses the section of the Vehicle and Traffic law that makes this act illegal must be given bigger teeth. Driving while distracted is bad enough, but a driver that is so focused on their own activities that they are willing to pass a stopped school bus is an extreme hazard. By subjecting drivers that violate that statute while distracted by mobile phones or certain electronic devices to higher penalties, we can potentially curb such unsafe behavior.
Legislative history
2017-2018: S.5898A/A.8624.
Fiscal implications
To be determined
Effective date
This act shall take effect within 90 days.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.