Following a report that ranked New York State among the top states with drivers taking selfies, officials are warning about the dangers.

The New York State DMV and Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee are warning drivers to not take selfies while driving. Seems like common sense, sadly it isn’t.

A report by the Auto Insurance Center puts New York State in the top 10 states with drivers who post most driving selfies.

The Auto Insurance Center recently reviewed 70,000 Instagram posts with driving-related hashtags to determine where selfie-taking drivers took their photos and when they posted them. One common and terrifying reviewed hashtag, #IHopeIDontCrash.

New York placed 8th. California was the state with the most driving selfies, followed by Nevada and Florida. New Jersey ranked 7th.

While texting and talking on the phone while driving are dangerous, there is evidence to suggest that taking photos is even more dangerous, especially when the photo includes the driver. AAA reports that a driver’s eyes may leave the road for at least two seconds to snap a selfie, during which time a car can travel 176 feet, or nearly the length or two basketball courts, at 60 miles per hour. Recording a video can distract drivers for much longer, compounding the dangers of driving while distracted. With new technologies like Facebook Live, Periscope, and other live streaming apps, users – including motorists behind the wheel – are finding new ways to drive while looking into a smartphone, which puts themselves, other motorists, and pedestrians in danger.

“Smartphones can provide nearly limitless entertainment, but activities like taking selfies while driving are just irresponsible,” said Terri Egan, DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner and GTSC Acting Chair. “A quick search of social media or local news reports across the country show that taking selfies and even live streaming are things motorists actually do behind the wheel, with some doing so on a repeat basis.”

New York is 1 of only 14 states that prohibits drivers from using handheld cellphones while driving. Illegal activity includes:

• Holding a portable electronic device.
• Talking on a handheld mobile telephone.
• Composing, sending, reading, accessing, browsing, transmitting, saving, or retrieving electronic data such as e-mail, text messages, or websites.
• Viewing, taking, or transmitting images.
• Playing games.

Exceptions to the laws include:

• When the driver uses a hands-free mobile telephone, which allows the user to communicate without the use of either hand.
• Using a handheld electronic device that is affixed to a vehicle surface.
• Using a GPS device that is attached to the vehicle.
• When the purpose of the phone call is to communicate an emergency to a police or fire department, a hospital or physician's office, or an ambulance corps.
• When operating an authorized emergency vehicle in the performance of official duties.

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