New York State To Crack Down On Distracted Driving

[TTL News 308]

New York State Police and local law enforcement will be participating in the national "U Drive. U Text. U Pay." mobilization to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. April marks Distracted Driving Awareness Month nationwide. Law enforcement throughout the state will be stepping up patrols during this enforcement initiative, which runs from Thursday, April 8 through Monday, April 12.

To help deter motorists from talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device, texting, or using an electronic device while driving, the state has set strict penalties. The penalties can range from $50 to $450 in fines, 5 driver violation points, and suspension or revocation of license.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,142 people were killed in the United States in distraction-affected crashes in 2019. To help prevent more tragedies, NHTSA recommends the following for motorists:

• If you must send or receive a text, pull over to a safe location and park your car first.
• If you have passengers, appoint a "designated texter" to handle all your texting.
• If you can't resist the temptation to look at your phone, keep it in the trunk.

Combined with enforcement campaigns, GTSC coordinates various traffic safety activities throughout the year, and supports ongoing initiatives to improve pedestrian, motorcycle and bicycle safety. The GTSC also sponsors critical training for law enforcement, provides resources for teen drivers and their parents, and promotes seatbelt use statewide.

[Chris 2,161]

I understand making phone calls is a necessary thing when they’re on the road, but seeing law enforcement driving around with a cell phone to their ears isn’t exactly good optics. Particularly if they’re ticketing people for it ( rightly so I might add ).

[Nick 73]

Personally, I wouldn't mind if cell-phones were rendered inoperable inside a vehicle while the engine was running, unless emergency  was pressed on either the phone or the vehicle. 

[Zapp Brannigan 137]

Does this include people who drive around with dogs on their laps or hanging out driver window?