6/22/06-A bill in the Assembly that would have made inattentive driving a traffic infraction has died.
Sponsored by Assemblyman David Gantt, D-Rochester, A3518 never made it out of committee when the session wrapped up Thursday, June 22.
The bill defined inattentive driving as a non-driving activity that “unreasonably interferes with the free and proper use of the public highway.”
It would have required any person who interferes with the flow of traffic as a result of inattentive driving to face a fine between $50 and $250. Any person found guilty of three inattentive driving violations during an 18-month period would have been guilty of reckless driving.
The measure listed five examples of inattentive activities while driving:

• Sleeping;
• Smoking;
• Eating;
• Faxing; and
• Reading.

4/18/06-A bill that would make inattentive driving a traffic infraction is in the Assembly Codes Committee.
Sponsored by Assemblyman David Gantt, D-Rochester, A3518 was introduced during the 2005 legislative session but failed to move forward. The measure was reintroduced earlier this year.
The bill defines inattentive driving as a non-driving activity that “unreasonably interferes with the free and proper use of the public highway.”
Any person who interferes with the flow of traffic as a result of inattentive driving would face a fine between $50 and $250. Any person found guilty of three inattentive driving violations during an 18-month period would be guilty of reckless driving.
The measure lists five examples of inattentive activities while driving:

• Sleeping;
• Smoking;
• Eating;
• Faxing; and
• Reading.

For bill status, call (518) 455-7545. In New York, call 1-800-342-9860.