Assembly Moves to Toughen Ban on Texting While Driving

Police are step closer to getting more authority to ticket drivers who send text messages while they drive.

The state Assembly has approved a bill to strengthen the current ban of using portable electronic devices while driving. The bill effectively allows the police to stop someone they see texting while driving, according to Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski, D-New City, who voted in favor of the legislation.

The legislation includes portable electronic device such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with mobile data access, laptops, pagers, two-way messaging devices and electronic games.

Last year, New York instituted the ban on "texting" and using other electronic devices while driving. The law had a loophole where police could only issue a ticket for this behavior if they pulled the person over for a separate "primary" offense, Zebrowski said.  If the police saw someone "texting while driving" only, they could not be cited. 

Zebrowski said the amendment makes the enforcement of the ban more effective and practical.

"The use of cell phones while driving is dangerous and is extremely distracting," said Zebrowski. "Texting while driving creates an unsafe driving environment and puts everyone at risk; this legislation allows law enforcement to crack down on offenders."

The bill is currently before the Senate.