Bill Text: NY S06533 | 2015-2016 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Restricts the use of an electronic device while crossing a crosswalk; provides an exemption for the use of a hands free headset; mandates a person in violation to be issued a summons and pay a civil fine of twenty-five dollars.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-01-22 - REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION [S06533 Detail]
Download: New_York-2015-S06533-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 6533 IN SENATE January 22, 2016 ___________ Introduced by Sen. AVELLA -- 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, in relation to restricting the use of an electronic device while crossing the crosswalk The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new 2 section 1158 to read as follows: 3 § 1158. Use of electronic devices in crosswalks prohibited. (a) For 4 the purposes of this section: 5 (1) The term "electronic device" shall mean any type of instrument, 6 device or equipment which is designed to transmit and/or receive tele- 7 phonic, electric digital signals and access service as well as any type 8 of instrument designed to have sound and/or image recording or capturing 9 capabilities including, but not limited to, mobile telephones, portable 10 media players and wireless handheld devices provided that the term shall 11 exempt the use of hands free headsets or calling devices. 12 (2) The term "engaging in the use" shall mean holding an electronic 13 device to, or in the immediate proximity of, the person's ear, talking 14 or listening with such electronic device or texting and/or receiving a 15 message with such electronic device. 16 (3) The term "immediate proximity" shall mean that distance as permits 17 the user of an electronic device to hear or use any transmission over 18 such electronic device but shall not require physical contact with such 19 person's ear. 20 (4) The term "crosswalk" shall mean that part of a roadway at an 21 intersection included within the connections of the lateral lines of the 22 sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway between the curbs or, in the 23 absence of curbs, between the edges of the traversable roadway or any 24 portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indi- 25 cated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface. 26 (b) No person shall enter and cross a crosswalk while engaging in the 27 use of an electronic device. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD07992-01-5