Bill > A04331

This bill amends the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law to increase penalties for mobile telephone and portable electronic device usage violations under specific circumstances. The bill establishes enhanced fines for violations that occur in the same incident as a failure to move over for emergency vehicles (section 1144-a) or within highway construction or maintenance work zones. For first-time offenders in these scenarios, the fine increases from $50-$200 to $100-$400. Second violations within 18 months will be fined $100-$500 instead of $50-$250, and third or subsequent violations will now carry fines of $100-$900, up from the previous $50-$450. These changes apply to both mobile telephone use (section 1225-c) and portable electronic device use (section 1225-d), effectively doubling the penalties when the violations are combined with a failure to move over or occur in a work zone. The bill aims to create stronger deterrents for distracted driving, particularly in areas with increased safety risks such as emergency scenes and construction zones. The law will take effect 90 days after becoming official.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4331