Jul 17, 2009 6:54 pm US/Eastern
NY Senate Votes To Outlaw Texting While Driving
Paterson Expected To Sign Bill That Would Go Into Effect Nov. 1st
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Busy New Yorkers are being advised to put away their iPhones, BlackBerries and laptops while driving.
A new piece of legislation, subjecting those who text message while driving to a hefty fine, was passed by the New York State Senate on Friday. The Assembly had already approved the bill, and Gov. David Paterson is expected to soon sign it, making it a law.
Officials would begin enforcing the legislation on November 1.
Few New Yorkers will admit how frequently they commit the soon-to-be offense. So when asked if he text messages while driving, Brandan Rafferty responded "absolutely not."
"I wouldn't admit it," he added.
The new law would issue fines of up to $150 to those who text and drive. But some pedestrians, such as Jose Collazo, believe penalties need to be harsher.
"I would fine them at least $500," Collazo said.
Others, like Sabrina Mobley, believe multitasking behind the wheel is simply irresponsible.
"It's not safe," Mobley said. "I'm a very conscientious and safe, defensive driver."
A car technically has to be moving in order for the driver's texting to be considered illegal, and fines can only be imposed as a secondary offense – after the driver has been pulled over for breaking another law.
So although Frank Aragona was caught with his phone out, he could probably get away with it because he was stopped at a red light.
"I wasn't texting," Aragona said. "I was just reading my wife's text to me."
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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