Prohibits the use of dashboard computers while operating a motor vehicle; provides definitions and exemptions.

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S1482-2013 Actions

• Jan 9, 2013: REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

S1482-2013 Memo

BILL NUMBER:S1482

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to prohibiting the use
of dashboard computers

PURPOSE: This legislation would prohibit the use of
dashboard
computers while operating a motor vehicle

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS: The New York State Vehicle and
Traffic Law is
amended by adding a new section 1225-e to prohibit the use of
dashboard computers while operating a motor vehicle.
A violation of this section would be a traffic infraction, punishable
by a fine of not more than $150.

JUSTIFICATION: Technology companies are zeroing in on
motor vehicles
to expand the use of their equipment. In an effort to bring the
personal computer to your vehicle, dashboard computers are coming to
a car near you. In a world were distracted driving is already a life
threatening problem on our roads, the last thing drivers need is
another distraction. Mobile devices in cars already are the cause of
thousands of wrecks and injuries each year.
No one wants to get in the way of technology, but we must take steps
to prevent these types of devices from be accessed while the driver
is operating the vehicle. This legislation will ensure that a driver
will be watching the road and not surfing the web.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: S.6802 of 2010. S.1000 of
2011/12.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: None.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect on the
ninetieth day after
it shall have become a law.

S1482-2013 Text

                      S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
  ________________________________________________________________________

                                    1482

                         2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                              I N  SENATE

                                 (PREFILED)

                               January 9, 2013
                                 ___________

  Introduced  by  Sen.  MARCELLINO  -- read twice and ordered printed, and
    when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation

  AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to  prohibiting
    the use of dashboard computers

    THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
  BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


    Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is  amended  by  adding  a  new
  section 1225-e to read as follows:

    S  1225-E. USE OF DASHBOARD COMPUTERS. 1. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED
  IN THIS SECTION, NO PERSON SHALL OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE WHILE USING ANY
  DASHBOARD COMPUTER WHILE SUCH VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
    2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING  TERMS  SHALL  HAVE
  THE FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS:

    (A)  "DASHBOARD  COMPUTER"  MEANS  ANY DASHBOARD-MOUNTED HUMAN-MACHINE
  INTERFACE (HMI) MODULE INCLUDING ANY MODULAR VEHICLE  COMPUTER,  VEHICLE
  INFOTAINMENT  COMPUTER,  TOUCHSCREEN DASHBOARD-MOUNTED COMPUTER, AND ANY
  HMI THAT PERFORMS FUNCTIONS INCLUDING,  BUT  NOT  LIMITED  TO,  INTERNET
  ACCESS, E-MAIL ACCESS AND/OR VIDEO PLAYBACK.
    (B)  "USING" MEANS TOUCHING, LOOKING AT, VIEWING, ACCESSING, BROWSING,
  READING, AND/OR WATCHING.
    3. THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION SHALL  NOT  APPLY
  TO:

    (A)  THE  USE OF A DASHBOARD COMPUTER FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF COMMUNI-
  CATING WITH ANY OF THE FOLLOWING REGARDING AN EMERGENCY SITUATION:

    (I) AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE OPERATOR;
    (II) A HOSPITAL;
    (III) A PHYSICIAN'S OFFICE OR HEALTH CLINIC;
    (IV) AN AMBULANCE COMPANY OR CORPS;
    (V) A FIRE DEPARTMENT, DISTRICT OR COMPANY;
    (VI) OR A POLICE DEPARTMENT;

   EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                        [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                             LBD03282-01-3

 S. 1482                             2

    (B) THE USE OF A DASHBOARD COMPUTER TO ACCESS:

    (I) TEMPERATURE CONTROLS;
    (II) MUSIC CONTROLS, INCLUDING SATELLITE RADIO, AM/FM RADIO OR COMPACT
  DISK CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS;
    (III) OTHER DRIVER CONTROL PANEL FUNCTIONS;
    (IV) ANY GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM UNIT; OR
    (V)  ANY  ADVANCED  DRIVING ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS, INCLUDING DAY OR NIGHT
  VISION SUPPORT, PARKING AIDS, OR ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL;
    (C) ANY OF THE FOLLOWING PERSONS WHILE IN  THE  PERFORMANCE  OF  THEIR
  OFFICIAL DUTIES:

    (I) A POLICE OFFICER OR PEACE OFFICER;
    (II) A MEMBER OF A FIRE DEPARTMENT, DISTRICT OR COMPANY;
    (III) OR THE OPERATOR OF AN AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE AS DEFINED IN
  SECTION ONE HUNDRED ONE OF THIS CHAPTER.
    4.  THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO AUTHORIZE
  THE SEIZURE OR FORFEITURE OF  A  DASHBOARD  COMPUTER,  UNLESS  OTHERWISE
  PROVIDED BY LAW.
    5. A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE A TRAFFIC INFRACTION AND SHALL
  BE PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF NOT MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS.
    S  2.  This  act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
  have become a law.