New Bill Would Ban Texting At A Red Light In New York

SUNSET PARK, NY — A new bill would ban drivers from texting while stopped at a red light in New York, closing a loophole on it's legality that's plagued law enforcement agencies.

Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, who represents Sunset Park and Red Hook, introduced the "Anti-Distracted Driving Act" this week that would make it illegal to use a phone while stopped at a red light, stop sign, railroad crossing or during traffic delays.

While using a phone while driving has already been illegal in the state, Ortiz said police and courts were unclear if the law covered drivers stopped at a traffic signals.

"This bill ends the ambiguity that you can never text while the ignition key is on," Ortiz said in a statement.

Ortiz pointed towards a recent Huffington Post/YouGov surveywhich found that more than half of the people between 18 and 44 polled admitted to texting while at a red light. The survey also found that 40% of smartphone users between 45 to 65 did the same thing.

"It’s common sense that you should never text when behind the wheel," Ortiz said. "A life can be lost by foolish texting regardless of whether the driver is moving or waiting for the light to change."

Aside from going after red light texters, Ortiz also introduced a bill earlier this year that would make it illegal to use your phone while crossing streets around the city.

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