Distracted driving in New York: Illegal and dangerous

AAA published safe driving tips to help raise awareness for distracted driving.

2014-04-08

April 08, 2014 (Press-News.org) AAA recently published a set of driving tips to help reduce the risk of distracted driving accidents. The publication was released in an effort to help educate the nation's drivers on the dangers associated with distracted driving during distracted driving awareness month. The tips are designed to reduce the risk of involvement in a car accident and include:
- Center. Center or focus attention on driving. It may be the most obvious tip, but it is easy to forget. Instead of trying to multitask while driving from point A to point B, pay attention to the task at hand. Watch for pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles. This can greatly reduce the risk of an accident.
- Store. Stow away loose change and anything else that could move around while driving. Possibly most importantly, put away cellphones to reduce the temptation to check texts or answer incoming calls.
- Stop. If another task needs to be done while driving, pull over.

It is important to note that not only are these activities dangerous while driving, but many are also illegal in New York.

New York law and distracted driving

It is illegal in the state of New York to use a handheld phone or to text while driving. The law also prohibits use of a portable electronic device while driving, and defines this to include not just handheld phones but also pagers and gaming devices. This law is considered a primary law, meaning an officer does not need additional cause to pull a driver over. Violation of this law alone is enough to justify a stop.

If stopped and found guilty of breaking this law, an officer can issue the following penalties:
- Fine. The driver can receive a fine ranging from $50 to $100 for a first offense, up to $200 for a second offense and $400 for a third.
- Points. A driver can also receive five driver violation points.
- License. A license suspension can be applied as well for drivers holding certain types of licenses. This can range from 60 days to 6 months depending on the license.

In addition to criminal penalties, those injured in an accident due to distracted driving violations may also qualify for civil remedies. These can include monetary damages to help cover the costly expenses associated with medical treatment, rehabilitation and, in some cases, lost wages. Victims should contact a New York car accident lawyer to review their case and better ensure they receive the compensation they are entitled to.

Article provided by Schonberg Law Offices of the Hudson Valley, P.C.
Visit us at www.schonberglaw.com

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