ALBANY -- Governor Andrew Cuomo wants to crack down on distracted drivers with a new bill.
Gov. Cuomo's proposal would mean that any driver caught using any portable electronic devices like iPhones, iPads, Blackberries, or gaming devices can be pulled over just for using them behind the wheel. Currently, using a device is a secondary offense, meaning you can only get a ticket for it if you've already gotten caught speeding or committing other violations.
The proposal would also increase the points penalty on your licence from two to three. It would also add distracted driving to the defensive driving curriculum.
Young adults and teens are most at risk. A National Insurance study estimated 66% of people ages 18-24 text while driving. The National Traffic Safety Administration says that 16% of fatal accidents in 2009 were due to distracted driving. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute has a study that says drivers who text while driving are 23 times more likely to get into an accident or near accident. The study also found that reaction times are worse when texting.
