Question: Can police give me a ticket for holding my phone at a red light?
Yes. Police may issue a cell phone or electronic device ticket if they believe you illegally used or held a phone while driving, including while stopped in traffic or at a traffic control device.
Many drivers think phone-use laws only apply when the vehicle is moving. In New York, the rules can also apply when a driver is temporarily stopped because of traffic or a traffic signal.
Key Things to Know:
New York law restricts handheld mobile phone and portable electronic device use while driving. DMV’s commercial-driver guidance also makes clear that being temporarily stationary because of traffic or a traffic control device does not necessarily make phone use legal for commercial drivers. For non-commercial drivers, the facts of what the officer observed still matter.
If you received a ticket for holding a phone at a red light, review the exact charge and facts before pleading guilty.