NY Assembly Votes To Ban Driver Cell Phone Use

By a vote of 125 to 19 the New York State Assembly followed the lead of the Senate, and passed a bill banning the use of cell phones by automobile drivers. Governor Pataki is expected to sign the bill next week. It would go into force November 1st.

Studies were introduced in support of the bill, which showed that when drivers were using cell phones they were four times more likely to have accidents. The bill’s opponents, however, pointed out that cell phone use was only one possible distraction which could contribute to causing an accident. They noted that eating, drinking, applying make-up, or reading something were just as hazardous, but weren’t being banned. Others called the bill unenforceable.