New York to Become First State to Ban Use of Hand-Held Cell Phones While Driving

Governor George Pataki recently agreed to a new law making New York the first state in the nation to ban the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.

The new law, set to take effect December 1, will require motorists to use hands-free technology to make or receive a telephone call while driving, and will supercede current local laws already in place in Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties. Motorists using hand-held cell phones to make 911 emergency calls will be exempt.

Violators will be hit with a fine of up to $100 per infraction, but first-time offenders between December 1 and March 1 can avoid the fine if they show the judge they own a hands-free device.

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