New York warns against driver selfies, cites Instagram review

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities are warning New York drivers against taking selfies, citing a national review suggesting they are among the most likely to do it.

It's generally illegal except in an emergency to use a handheld mobile device while driving in the Empire State.

Terri Egan, executive deputy commissioner of the New York Department of Motor Vehicles, says taking selfies behind the wheel is "just irresponsible."

The Auto Insurance Center website says it recently reviewed 70,000 Instagram posts with driving-related hashtags, including #DrivingSelfie, #SelfieWhileDriving, and #HopeIDontCrash.

New Yorkers ranked eighth nationally with 1.29 posts per 100,000 residents.

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 at 60 miles per hour.