Earlier this month, Governor Cuomo announced that both New York State police, as well as local law enforcement, will be participating in crackdowns for National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Distracted driving in New York is a serious problem but law enforcement is taking significant action. Though the crackdown only lasted for 5 days, law enforcement is always on the lookout for distracted drivers because they put the lives of others at risk.
New York State police reports that despite the fact that tickets for talking on the phone while driving have been on the decline, the number of tickets issued for texting while driving has increased by 20 percent. In 2017, there were over 110,000 tickets issued to drivers for texting behind the wheel. Cell phone violations are taken very seriously and come with significant fines.
The penalties for cell phone violations are as follows:
- A first offense will result in a fine between $50 and $200
- A second offense within 18 months of the first will result in a fine between $50 and $250
- A third or subsequent offense within 18 months will result in a fine between $50 and $450
In addition, the driver may have points added to their record, which can result in increased insurance premiums. If you have questions about cell phone violations or other traffic matters, contact our firm today.
If you are in need of experienced legal counsel for a criminal defense matter on Long Island or throughout New York State, please contact Grunwald & Seman, P.C. to schedule a consultation and we would be happy to assist you.
