BILL NUMBER: S3240
SPONSOR: COONEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to drivers of
school buses that are carrying students using hands-free mobile tele-
phones
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 adds a new paragraph (e) of subdivision (2) of section 1225-c
of the vehicle and traffic law, to prohibit school bus drivers from
speaking on a hands-free mobile telephone while transporting students.
Section 2 of the bill amends subdivision (3) section 1225-c, to prohibit
school bus drivers from using a hands-free mobile telephone.
Section 3 establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Currently, under New York State law, school bus drivers are prohibited
from speaking on hand-held mobile telephones while driving. However, the
use of hands-free mobile telephone devices is permitted and while the
use of such device allows a driver's hands to remain on the wheel, it
does not prevent the distraction that mobile telephones cause.
Safety is paramount. It is vital for school bus drivers to be alert and
focus their whole attention on the road as well as on the student
passengers. Speaking on a hands-free mobile telephone can interfere with
concentration, which may affect driving and may have potentially disas-
trous results on a school bus if a student on the bus is in need of
attention.
It is the job of the school bus driver to transport students safely and
to maintain their security, and so the distraction of hands-free mobile
telephones should be prohibited.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S.9559
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have
become a law.

Statutes affected:
S3240: 1225-c vehicle and traffic law, 1225-c(2) vehicle and traffic law, 1225-c(3) vehicle and traffic law