Lawmaker Says Bill will Help Keep Long Island’s Youngest Drivers Safe

(Long Island, N.Y.) Assemblyman Jim Conte (R,I,C,WF-Huntington Station) today helped pass Assembly bill (A.8568-B), which prohibits ‘texting’ while driving and imposes additional restrictions on junior licenses. Assemblyman Conte noted that this legislation follows the lead of the Suffolk County Legislature, which banned texting while driving in Suffolk County earlier this year.

“This legislation will help make Long Island’s streets and highways safer by reducing distractions for drivers, especially younger drivers,” said Conte. “As a father of teenagers, I am all too aware of the enormous amount of time young adults spend sending text messages to their friends. Unfortunately, many teens don’t think twice about texting while driving and the hazards this poses to themselves and other motorists. By banning texting while driving, I am hopeful that we can limit this dangerous driving practice and save lives.”

Assemblyman Conte added that the legislation also puts added safeguards in place to ensure the well-being of our youngest and most inexperienced drivers.

“Young drivers need to be focused on the road, not their cell phones.  By prohibiting texting while driving and requiring longer training times and more supervised driving hours before issuing a license, this bill will reduce distraction and better equip our young people with the experience they need to be safe drivers.”

The bill would enhance highway safety by strengthening the Vehicle and Traffic Law graduated licensing program provisions for safety of junior drivers and their passengers, and by limiting driver distraction and inattention by prohibiting the use of portable electronic devices while driving. In addition, the required permit period before obtaining a license would be increased to 6 months, and the required training period increased from 20 to 50 hours.

If enacted, violation of the statewide texting while driving ban would carry a fine of up to $150.

For more information visit http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=010