New York – Gov. Andrew Cuomo says police officers wrote more than twice the number of texting-while-driving tickets in August than they had in previous months, after the state made the practice a primary offense.
Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
Last month was the first full month that officers could stop a driver solely for using a handheld electronic device. In August, 1,082 drivers were ticketed statewide. An average of 427 texting-while-driving tickets were given out each month from January to June.
Lawmakers say the big increase demonstrates how badly the law was needed.
Besides making texting behind the wheel a primary offense, the law that took effect in July also increased the penalty for using a cell phone without a hands-free device from two points to three.
The city should take some of the traffic agents and sanitation police officers and put them out to stop drivers who are on the phone while driving.
Good. Texting while driving is incredibly dangerous. Readers will recall the tragedy a few months ago where a young woman was doing exactly that and rear-ended and killed a father who was stopped at an intersection.
If driving and talking and texting is so dangerous Police officers should not be above the law and should some how get fined and loose there job for repeat offenses. Got to get Jimmy Justice on the case and expose the cowboy cops running reds with no lights sirens on the phone. O ya “they where in hot pursuit that required them to try to go incognito and silent”
Texting and driving is not only dangerous,it is STUPID! I don’t care who does it. Why would anyone object to this law. Get real!!!
The cops should give out more tickets for it.