Statement from Governor David A. Paterson
"I applaud the United States House of Representatives today for passing a resolution to designate the month of April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. New York State shares this commitment to combating distracted driving habits, working to keep our roadways safe and taking steps to reduce and end distracted driving.
"Last year, I signed legislation to prohibit texting while driving. Most recently, I worked to make that law stronger and more effective by introducing a bill that would raise a violation of the law from a so-called 'secondary offense' to a 'primary offense.' This bill would allow law enforcement to stop a motorist using a portable electronic device without first having to observe another violation of the law, giving officers greater authority to enforce the laws that protect our State's drivers and passengers. In addition, the Department of Motor Vehicles has demonstrated the severity of this violation by issuing a two-point penalty and a fine for the infraction.
"These measures are necessary given recent studies on distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 16 percent of fatal accidents in 2008 were due to distracted driving. Text-messaging while driving is especially dangerous and prevalent. According to a Nationwide Insurance study, an estimated 20 percent of all drivers, and 66 percent of drivers aged 18 to 24, are sending or receiving text messages while behind the wheel. These alarming statistics show that we all must do our part to protect children and families on our State and National roadways.
"With this Congressional resolution and New York's ongoing efforts, we will continue our work towards educating the public and putting an end to distracted driving for the safety and well being of all Americans."