What's happening
This bill prohibits drivers with learner's permits or junior licenses from using hands-free mobile phones while driving.
Why it matters
Expands current mobile phone restrictions for new drivers. By prohibiting even hands-free device use for holders of learner’s permits and junior (DJ/MJ) licenses, the bill targets a group statistically at higher risk for distracted driving accidents.
Removes a prior exception. While current law allows hands-free mobile phone use, this exemption would no longer apply to young or inexperienced drivers, signaling a recognition that any phone use can be dangerous for those still learning.
Imposes escalating penalties. The bill makes violations subject to fines that increase with repeat offenses within an 18-month period, aiming to deter risky behavior and reinforce safe driving habits among novice drivers.
Aligns with broader traffic safety trends. This legislation reflects a growing policy movement emphasizing stricter rules for young drivers to reduce preventable crashes and improve overall road safety.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Hands-Free Phone Use
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
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 Hands-Free Phones for Teens
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2980
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 31, 2019
Introduced by Sens. GAUGHRAN, BOYLE -- 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 prohibiting the use of mobile telephones by operators of motor vehicles who hold learner's permits
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivisions 3 and 4 of section 1225-c of the vehicle and traffic law, subdivision 3 as added by chapter 69 of the laws of 2001 and subdivision 4 as amended by section 6 of part B of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014, are amended to read as follows:
3. Subdivision two of this section shall not apply to (a) the use of a mobile telephone for the sole purpose of communicating with any of the following regarding an emergency situation: an emergency response operator; a hospital, physician's office or health clinic; an ambulance company or corps; a fire department, district or company; or a police department, (b) any of the following persons while in the performance of their official duties: a police officer or peace officer; a member of a fire department, district or company; or the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle as defined in section one hundred one of this chapter, or (c) the use of a hands-free mobile telephone, provided, however, that the use of a hands-free mobile telephone shall be prohibited for an operator of a motor vehicle who is a holder of a learner's permit or a class DJ or class MJ license.
4. A violation of subdivision two or paragraph (c) of subdivision three of this section shall be a traffic infraction and shall be punishable by a fine of not less than fifty dollars nor more than two hundred dollars upon conviction of a first violation; upon conviction of a second violation, both of which were committed within a period of eighteen months, such violation shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars nor more than two hundred fifty dollars; upon conviction
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02466-01-9
S. 2980 2
of a third or subsequent violation, all of which were committed within a period of eighteen months, such violation shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars nor more than four hundred fifty dollars.
§ 2. 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 prohibiting the use of mobile telephones by operators of motor vehicles who hold learner's permits
Purpose
This bill would prohibit the use of mobile telephones by operators of motor vehicles who hold learner's permits or a class DJ or MJ license.
Summary of provisions
Amends subdivision 3 and 4 of section 1225-c of the vehicle and traffic law, as added by chapter 69 of the laws of 2001 to prohibit the use of mobile telephones, even hands-free mobile telephones, by operators of motor vehicles who hold learner's permits or a class DJ or MJ license.
Justification
The National Transportation Safety Board reports that young drivers make up just seven percent of the driving population, but are involved in 15 percent of the fatal crashes.
Young and/or inexperienced drivers, holding only a learner's permit or a class DJ or MJ license, are behind the wheel for one purpose, to learn how to safely operate a vehicle. These drivers need their full attention on the road and the task of becoming a responsible driver.
The Safety Board has long been concerned with the issues of distracted driving and novice drivers. The Board recommended to all States to prohibit holders of learner's permits from using wireless mobile tele- phones while driving. This bill takes the necessary step of taking this unnecessary distraction out of the hands of drivers possessing only a learner's permit or a class DJ or MJ license.
Legislative history
s.1257 OF 2017/18
S.383 of 2015/16
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.