Smart phones have become a staple in New York residents’ backpacks, purses, and pockets. It is rare to find a person who has never used one of these powerful handheld devices and many people own them for use in their personal and professional lives. For all the convenience that phones have added to individuals’ lives, they have also been targeted by lawmakers as potential distractions to individuals who get behind the wheels of vehicles.

In New York, a person can receive significant fines if they are caught texting and driving. However, in some cases, a person may be accused of this infraction when they are not sending text messages. This post will outline what conduct is prohibited in New York when it comes to using a cell phone in a car, but readers should seek their own advice concerning their particular legal challenges.

First, drivers are not allowed to use handheld electronic devices. This includes smart phones and cell phones, as well as PDAs, laptops, pagers, and other communication devices.

Second, using an electronic device has a broad definition. A person may not use their hands to send messages, surf the internet, make phone calls, update web pages, or do practically anything that involves looking at a screen and using their fingers to push buttons.

Texting and driving has a much bigger scope of inclusion in New York than just sending messages from a smart phone. Drivers who are accused of this infraction can face significant fines and other penalties. They may wish to protect their driving rights by enlisting the help of an attorney to support them in their legal battles.