Albany, NY – Authorities in New York report issuing more than 20,000 tickets to motorists in the first year under a tougher law against using handheld electronics while driving.
Join our WhatsApp groupSubscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
According to the governor’s office, police issued four times as many tickets for so-called texting while driving after it was made a primary traffic offense last July compared to the year before.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who signed the law, says the increase in tickets shows the law’s usefulness to “crack down hard on distracted driving.”
Data show more than 3,700 tickets issued the past year in Manhattan, followed by Queens with about 3,300 and Brooklyn with 3,200.
Administration officials cite research showing that drivers that use handheld electronic devices while driving are four times more likely to be involved in a crash.
This is good news. I thought I was the only one who gots a ticket for chatting on the phone ($130 and 3pts).
So 20,000 texted while driving, how many texted and did not get caught? But that is not the real question. With tens of thousands texting, are the roads safe? The data says YES! Accidents and fatalities are DOWN. These laws are unnecessary and are just a tax on drivers.
This is truly excellent news. VIN editors, please let us know when the next 20,000 tickets have been issued for this offense.
“Texting and driving is 2x as bad as drunk driving”
be happy you don’t face felony charges for texting….