Senate Bill S4259

2021-2022 Legislative Session

Relates to providing for the field testing for use of mobile telephones and portable electronic devices while driving after an accident or collision

download bill text pdf

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Transportation 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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2021-S4259 (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:
Senate Transportation
Law Section:
Vehicle and Traffic Law
Laws Affected:
Amd §§215, 503 & 511, add §1225-e, V & T L; amd §837, Exec L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:
2015-2016: S6325
2017-2018: S2306
2019-2020: S5392
2023-2024: S4023

2021-S4259 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Provides for the field testing for use of mobile telephones and portable electronic devices while driving after an accident or collision; allows police departments the option to participate in such field testing.

2021-S4259 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2021-S4259 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   4259
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 3, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  GRIFFO -- 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 and the  executive  law,  in
   relation  to the field testing of mobile telephones and portable elec-
   tronic devices after a motor vehicle accident or  collision  involving
   damage to real or personal property, personal injury or death
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Legislative intent. The legislature hereby finds  that  the
 use  of  mobile  telephones and/or personal electronic devices has dras-
 tically increased the prevalence of distracted driving. This destructive
 behavior endangers the lives of every driver and passenger traveling  on
 New  York  state roadways. In 2001, this legislature enacted legislation
 prohibiting the use of mobile telephones  while  driving,  and  in  2009
 updated  the  law to include all portable electronic devices. The execu-
 tive branch initiated a public campaign against  cell  phone  use  while
 driving, and has even established "text stops" along all major highways.
 While these efforts have brought much needed attention to the dangers of
 distracted driving, reports indicate that 67 percent of drivers admit to
 continued  use  of  their cell phones while driving despite knowledge of
 the inherent danger to themselves and others on  the  road.  A  10  year
 trend  of  declining collisions and casualties was reversed this year as
 crashes are up 14 percent, and fatalities increased 8 percent,  suggest-
 ing  that  the  problem  has not only gotten worse, but is still greatly
 misunderstood.
   Furthermore, law enforcement has  a  difficult  time  enforcing  these
 public  safety laws, especially after an accident where it is impossible
 to discern whether the operator of a motor vehicle was in fact using his
 or her cell phone immediately prior to or at the time of the collision.
   Empowering our law enforcement with technology, which is able to imme-
 diately determine cell phone usage without an inquiry into the  content,
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

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