BILL NUMBER: S3240A
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
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to ban school bus drivers from mobile tele-
phone use while operating the vehicle.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 adds a new paragraph (e) to 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 operating a school bus
that is carrying students except in cases of emergency or being parked
lawfully on the side of the road. This prohibition does not apply to
devices lawfully designated for communication between a driver and the
dispatch or school district. The commissioner of education, in consulta-
tion with the commissioner of transportation, shall re-evaluate exempted
devices according to new technology.
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 provides that the statute shall take effect in sixty days.
 
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 needs 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:
This bill will have no fiscal impact on the State or local governments.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day.

Statutes affected:
S3240: 1225-c vehicle and traffic law, 1225-c(2) vehicle and traffic law, 1225-c(3) vehicle and traffic law
S3240A: 1225-c vehicle and traffic law, 1225-c(2) vehicle and traffic law, 1225-c(3) vehicle and traffic law