April 8, 2016
ALBANY, NY – Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today, that there is an 840 percent increase in texting while driving since 2011. The governor says that while less drivers are talking on cell phones, more drivers are texting.
The governor noted that New York State prohibits all drivers from using portable electronic devices. Illegal activity includes:
• Holding a portable electronic device.
• Talking on a handheld mobile telephone.
• Composing, sending, reading, accessing, browsing, transmitting, saving, or retrieving electronic data such as e-mail, text messages, or websites.
• Viewing, taking, or transmitting images.
• Playing games.
Exceptions to the laws include:
• When the driver uses a hands-free mobile telephone, which allows the user to communicate without the use of either hand.
• Using a handheld electronic device that is affixed to a vehicle surface.
• Using a GPS device that is attached to the vehicle.
• When the purpose of the phone call is to communicate an emergency to a police or fire department, a hospital or physician’s office, or an ambulance corps.
• When operating an authorized emergency vehicle in the performance of official duties.
