New York bans driving and phoning

By: Drivers.com staff
Date: 2001-06-28

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New York State Governor George Pataki signed into law today the USA's first statewide legislation banning the use of hand-held cell phones by drivers. "By requiring drivers to put down their cell phones and pay attention to the road, this new law will help make our roads safer and save lives," stated Pataki. However, assemblyman Thomas Kirwan disagreed, saying "we're putting the cart before the horse."

According to the article in the New York Times, the law goes into effect November 1. First-time violators of the ban would face a $100 fine, with increased fines for subsequent violations. The legislation allows for an exception for making emergency 911 calls but does not address the issue of dialing while driving. In a move that contradicts research showing that the act of talking itself is the problem, speaker phones (hands-free models) will be permitted. A poll from the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute found that 85 per cent of New York voters favored the prohibition, even though the state has more than 6 million wireless phone users.

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