Prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle on a public road, street or highway which is equipped with a display device within the view of the operator; and defines the term display device as equipment designed and used for the purpose of receiving and displaying a broadcast image.
STATE OF NEW YORK
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147
2015-2016 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE(Prefiled)
January 7, 2015
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Introduced by Sen. DIAZ -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the opera-
tion of motor vehicles with a display device
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subdivision 24 of section 375 of the vehicle and traffic
2 law, as amended by chapter 39 of the laws of 1989, is amended to read as
3 follows:
4 24. (a) It shall be unlawful to operate upon any public highway in
5 this state a motor vehicle which is equipped with a [television receiv-
6 ing set] display device within view of the operator or in which a [tele-
7 vision receiving set] display device is in operation within the view of
8 the operator. A motor vehicle shall not be deemed to be equipped with a
9 [television receiving set] display device (i) solely because such [set]
10 display device utilizes power from such vehicle or (ii) if such display
11 device is equipped with a functioning device that disables such equip-
12 ment whenever such motor vehicle is in motion. The provisions of this
13 subdivision shall not prohibit a vehicle with a weight of ten thousand
14 pounds or more or a school bus from using closed-circuit television
15 receiving equipment exclusively for safety and maneuvering purposes, in
16 accordance with regulations to be established by the commissioner.
17 (b) No otherwise permitted aftermarket visual display device or system
18 shall be installed or mounted in a manner that impairs the operator's
19 view, control of the vehicle or operation of the vehicle's safety equip-
20 ment.
21 (c) For the purposes of this subdivision, the term "display device"
22 shall mean equipment designed and used for the purpose of receiving and
23 displaying broadcast television images, visual images from a digital
24 video disc recorder or player or video cassette recorder or player, or
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00706-01-5
S. 147 2
1 visual images while transmitted by wireless digital technology. Such
2 term shall not include:
3 (i) vehicle information, driver information or instrumentation
4 displays;
5 (ii) a global positioning, navigational or mapping display;
6 (iii) a visual display produced by technology that enhances or supple-
7 ments the driver's view of the exterior to the rear, front or sides of a
8 motor vehicle for the purpose of maneuvering the vehicle and avoiding
9 contact with persons, animals or objects;
10 (iv) any display device or system used for displaying information
11 intended to enhance traffic safety;
12 (v) any controls and displays related to an audio entertainment
13 system, heating or air conditioning system, or other accessory inte-
14 grated into the electrical system of a motor vehicle;
15 (vi) any display device or system in a vehicle that permits the vehi-
16 cle operator to monitor vehicle occupants seated rearward of such opera-
17 tor;
18 (vii) any display device or system the primary function of which is
19 transmitting and receiving emergency alert messages;
20 (viii) any display device or system the primary function of which is
21 transmitting and receiving messages related to the operation of the
22 vehicle;
23 (ix) any use of a display device or system while a vehicle is parked;
24 and
25 (x) any display device or system used in a police vehicle, fire vehi-
26 cle, ambulance or other emergency vehicle.
27 § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
28 it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediate-
29 ly, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation
30 necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date is
31 authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such
32 effective date.
