Senator Gianaris Applauds Enactment Of Distracted Driving Bill

Queens, NY – Senator Michael Gianaris applauds the enactment of the Distracted Driving Bill, a traffic safety measure that will help reduce the number of car accidents across New York.

The bill makes utilizing a portable device while driving a primary offense, allowing police officers to stop drivers using their cell phones, MP3 players, laptops, or any device with a screen while behind the wheel.

“Distracted driving is dangerous and can have critical consequences,” Senator Gianaris said. “This law will make our roadways safer, our drivers more attentive, and will result in fewer accidents.”

Previously, texting while driving was a secondary offense and police could only stop motorists if they were committing another, primary offense such as speeding or running a red light.

The Distracted Driving Enforcement Project, a national campaign conducted in 2010, found that one in five car accidents in New York State occurs because of distracted driving.

The governor signed the Distracted Driving Bill on July 12, 2011.

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