New York Senate Considering Bill that Proposes Stricter Mobile Phone Driving Laws
A bill, sponsored by Senator Carl L. Marcellino and co-sponsored by numerous others, that proposes to strengthen laws regarding cell phone use while driving was introduced to the New York legislature in January of this year. As of April 12, the bill was amended on its third reading, and today, the Senate is expected to act. According to ObserverToday.com, if the bill becomes law, it will allow law enforcement to more easily cite texting while driving violations, as well as help prevent serious New York traffic accidents.
The bill, S00998B, would make texting while driving a more severe violation in New York than it currently is. Texting while driving would be considered a primary violation as opposed to a secondary violation, as it stands now. This means that a driver may be cited for texting while driving in and of itself, without the citation of any other traffic violation. Currently, a New York driver may only be cited for texting if they were first cited for another violation. The basic premise of the bill is as follows:
“…no person shall operate a motor vehicle upon a public highway while…talking into, listening to, dialing, activating, deactivating or initiating any function of a hand-held mobile phone while the vehicle is in motion.”
Distracted driving, especially as a result of cell phone use, is considered to be negligence and is one of the primary causes of New York injury auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 20 percent of nationwide injury accidents in 2009 were caused by distracted driving. Cell phone use accounted for 18 percent of accident fatalities in the same year. Distracted drivers endanger other motorists and increase the risk of causing serious injury to themselves as well as others.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash in New York that was caused by a distracted driver or other negligent party, the Manhattan car accident attorneys at Wingate, Russotti and Shapiro can help you recover financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. To learn more, contact us today for a free consultation at 1-212-222-4336.
