NY: Tough New Penalties For Texting And Driving Now In Effect

2
>>Follow Matzav On Whatsapp!<<

text-messagingNew York motorists are advised to think twice before texting and driving, as tough new regulations go into effect today in New York State.

As CBS 2’s Janelle Burrell reported, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday announced a major crackdown on the practice of texting while driving in New York. The penalty has increased from three to five points off the driver’s licenses of any motorists who is caught and ticketed.

The penalty applies to any kind of cell phone activity while driving.

While the dangers of texting and driving are well-documented, that has not stopped some people from doing it. Shelly Rome admitted to CBS 2′s Janelle Burrell that her cell phone is always within arms reach, even when she’s driving.

“People honk at me when I do it, and I get mad, but they’re right – I shouldn’t be doing it,” Rome said. “It’s very dangerous. I’ve had many close calls.”

It is indeed dangerous, and action has to be taken, Cuomo said.

“Sometimes you only get one mistake,” he said. Sometimes you don’t get a second chance.”

Cuomo is also proposing legislation that would impose tougher sanctions against probationary and junior drivers for texting.

Under that proposal, violators’ licenses would be suspended for 60 days after their first conviction.

Cuomo’s proposed legislation will impose the same penalties on drivers with probationary and junior licenses for texting-while-driving that they now receive for speeding and reckless driving: 60-day suspensions for first convictions and revocations of 60 days (for junior licenses) or six months (for probationary licenses) for subsequent convictions within six months of the time a license is restored after suspension.

Read more at CBS NEW YORK.

{Matzav.com Newscenter}


2 COMMENTS

  1. While talking while driving is also dangerous, it’s not half as dangerous as texting while driving and the penalties should definately not be the same.

Leave a Reply to Bulvan Cancel reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here