Senate Bill S3994

2013-2014 Legislative Session

Prohibits operation of any motor vehicle equipped with device which affects the operation of traffic-control signals

download bill text pdf

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Archive: Last Bill Status - In Assembly Committee

  • Introduced
    • In Committee Assembly
    • In Committee Senate
    • On Floor Calendar Assembly
    • On Floor Calendar Senate
    • Passed Assembly
    • Passed Senate
  • Delivered to Governor
  • Signed By Governor

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2013-S3994 (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:
A1269
Current Committee:
Assembly Transportation
Law Section:
Vehicle and Traffic Law
Laws Affected:
Add ยง397-c, V & T L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:
2009-2010: S1807, A2791
2011-2012: S1208, A1638, A10245
2015-2016: S2203, A1015
2017-2018: S3249, A278
2019-2020: S1632, A3625
2021-2022: S1637, A6518
2023-2024: S1157, A8056

2013-S3994 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Prohibits the operation of any motor vehicle equipped with a device which affects the operation of traffic-control signals; provides that the possession of such a device shall constitute a traffic infraction, use thereof is a class A misdemeanor, and use which results in personal injury or death shall constitute a class E felony.

2013-S3994 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2013-S3994 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf 

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  3994

                       2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                              March 4, 2013
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sen.  LARKIN -- 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 any device which affects the operation of a traffic-control
  signal

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is  amended  by  adding  a  new
section 397-c to read as follows:
  S  397-C.  INTERFERENCE  WITH  A  TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL. 1. NO PERSON
SHALL OPERATE ANY MOTOR VEHICLE, EXCEPT AN AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY  VEHICLE
OR  AUTHORIZED  PUBLIC  TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE, WHICH HE OR SHE KNOWS IS
EQUIPPED WITH A DEVICE CAPABLE OF AFFECTING THE OPERATION OF ANY  TRAFF-
IC-CONTROL  SIGNAL.  THE  PRESENCE  IN  A MOTOR VEHICLE OF SUCH A DEVICE
CONNECTED TO A POWER SOURCE AND IN AN OPERABLE CONDITION IS  PRESUMPTIVE
EVIDENCE  OF  THE  OPERATOR'S  KNOWLEDGE OF THE DEVICE. SUCH PRESUMPTION
SHALL BE REBUTTED BY ANY CREDITABLE EVIDENCE WHICH TENDS  TO  SHOW  THAT
THE  OPERATOR OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PRESENCE OF SUCH
DEVICE.
  2. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY PERSON  USING
SUCH A DEVICE WHILE ENGAGED IN THE AUTHORIZED MAINTENANCE OR REPAIR OF A
TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL.
  3.  A  VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION SHALL CONSTITUTE A
TRAFFIC INFRACTION PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF NOT  LESS  THAN  ONE  HUNDRED
DOLLARS NOR MORE THAN THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS.
  4.   A VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION WHILE USING SUCH A
DEVICE TO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF A TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL SHALL CONSTI-
TUTE A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR.
  5. A VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION WHILE USING  SUCH  A
DEVICE  TO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF A TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL AND SUCH USE

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD02976-01-3

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