Texting and Driving

    Governor Cuomo's office says as a result of texting-while-driving police issued more than twice as many tickets this year as compared to last. The law took effect in July as a primary offense and it gives officers the ability to stop drivers solely for texting while driving. According to the governor's office from January to June officers issued more than four hundred tickets a month, but after the first full month more than a thousand drivers were ticketed. Experts compare texting while driving to another deadly danger on the road. Utica Police Sargent Steve Hauck says, "They compare it to drinking and driving and they say that your brain because its focusing on talking on your cell phone or texting, its diminished ability to drive and focus on driving and it has the same type of effects as if you were drinking." Utica resident Albie Pagan says, "People are driving by they're either on their phone or texting, ah no seat belts, speeding. It's every day, every day, I kind of wish I could get deputized I could write a minimum fifty tickets a day." The penalty for texting while driving will not only set you back $150 but add three points on your license.

GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES NEW TEXTING WHILE DRIVING LAW LEADS TO ENHANCED ENFORCEMENT

New Penalties Lead to Double the Amount of Motorists Pulled Over for Texting-While-Driving

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that as a result of the strict new enforcement against drivers who use handheld electronic devices, law enforcement officials issued more than twice as many tickets for texting-while-driving offenses in New York during August 2011 as compared to August 2010.

The Governor introduced legislation to strengthen enforcement of texting-while-driving violations in June, and signed the new penalties into law in July. From January to June, a monthly average of 427 tickets were issued statewide to motorists for using a handheld electronic device while driving. In August, the first full month after the new law went into effect, 1,082 drivers were ticketed for texting-while-driving.

"We were serious when this law passed: texting while driving is illegal and the law is being enforced, so don't do it. I thank local and state law enforcement officers for their diligence in keeping our roadways safe and protecting New Yorkers. Today's message to drivers is to keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel," Governor Cuomo said.

The new law makes using a handheld electronic device for activities such as texting while a vehicle is in motion a primary traffic offense, giving law enforcement the power to stop drivers solely for engaging in this activity. The law also increased the penalty for using a cellular phone without a hands-free device or a handheld device while driving from two to three points.

Joseph A. D'Amico, Superintendent of the New York State Police, said, "These statistics reinforce the need for stricter enforcement to crack down on drivers who use a mobile device while behind the wheel. Governor Cuomo was right to push for this law, as it has helped our law enforcement officers fight distracted driving and punish those who put others at risk through their own irresponsibility. Together we will continue to work to reduce distracted driving, and keep New York's highways safe."

Barbara J. Fiala, Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee said, "This new legislation has enabled police officers to pull over drivers for the sole offense of using a handheld device. We have heard the devastating stories of those killed by distracted drivers, and with over 1,000 tickets issued in August for texting-while-driving, these new protections were clearly long overdue. I am proud to work alongside Governor Cuomo to help educate the public about this new law and to stand up against reckless and distracted driving, by promoting measures thatwill protect all who use our state's roadways."

Senator Carl L. Marcellino said, "These numbers show that the new texting-while-driving law passed by the legislature in June has done a great job in strengthening enforcement against drivers using handheld electronic devices, helping keep drivers, passengers, and pedestrians safe. I was proud to sponsor this bill, and I look forward to working together with Governor Cuomo in the future to continue to make sure distracted driving is not tolerated in New York State."

Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg said, "These statistics clearly demonstrate how much this law was needed. The upgrade to primary offense is undoubtedly saving lives and I am grateful to Governor Cuomo for his leadership in this regard."