Categories: Hazel Rosetta Smith,
As of June 5th, there is a new “No Touch” law in New York State. If you break this law, you could face some big fines. I know what you’re thinking, did that and done that process of no touching when COVID came to town and social distancing was mandated.
The “No Touching” is about technology and screens while driving, not avoiding contact with other human beings. The new law, also known as the hands-free law, makes it illegal to touch your phone or any other smart device when driving your vehicle.
That means even if you are stopped in traffic or at a red light, you could get fined if you pick up your phone to look at directions or send a text. The best and safest action would be to pull over, then pursue whatever is the most important messages or calls to take care of on your devices.
New York State, along with 30 other states in America, passed the new law back on June 5th, 2025.
In December 2001, Albany banned handheld calls while driving. Eight years later lawmakers added texting, emailing, and scrolling. Today the first ticket runs $50 to $200, plus a $93 surcharge and five DMV points. A third strike within eighteen months can draw a fine as high as $450 and raise insurance coverage.
That attempt to keep drivers from using devices while driving has not solved the ongoing dilemma of the distraction crisis. NHTSA counted 3,275 deaths and nearly 325,000 injuries nationwide last year that involved a distracted driver. It has been reported that New York wrote more than 90,000 tickets for electronicdevice violations in 2024.
I had a recent confrontation with the driver of the Access A Ride vehicle, in which I was travelling. He was consistently having conversations holding his cell phone. Hard as I tried, my stress about his possible distraction of talking while driving made it necessary for me to confront him about it.
His excuse was that he needed to get information, and his mounted phone holder was broken. I told him the condition of his mounted holder was not my concern, but rather the possibility of his distraction while driving. He decided to do the right thing – pull into a parking spot and handle his business.
There are drivers who know the law and may still take the chance of making a call or texting while driving, holding the device. Do not feel that you must go along with whatever the driver of any car service wants to do behind the wheel. If they are holding the cell phone or device in their hand while driving, the law is on your side.
Your destination is important; however, a dangerous, haphazard journey is not what you are paying for. Speak up before it is too late.
[Hazel Rosetta Smith is a journalist, playwright, and artistic director of Help Somebody Theatrical Ministries. Former Managing Editor of the New York Beacon. Contact: misshazel@twc.com and online www.hazelrosettasmith.com]
