It Can Wait

Since 2011 when texting and driving became a traffic violation, the number of tickets issued has increased more than 700 percent.  The increase is tickets issued it due to more people having cell phones and feeling like they cant put it down. Statewide agencies are also cracking down on this new epidemic on our roads.

Police agencies handed out over 75,000 tickets in 2014 just for texting and driving alone. New York City makes up more than fifty percent of these violations with nearly 50,000 tickets being issued.

Governor Cuomo, a proud supporter against texting and driving thanks local and state agencies for cracking down on a new pandemic. Under the most recent New York State law, drivers caught using their phones to text face five points on their license and up to a $450 fine. Junior driver face their drivers license becoming suspended for a first time offense and revoked for their second offense. Texting while driving is six times more dangerous than driving while intoxicated according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Causing over 3,000 deaths per year and over quarter million injuries, it is a hot topic for Lawmakers and the Governors office.

The Governor publicized Operation Hang Up, which statewide law enforcement agencies target people texting while driving with the use of special patrols. The need to protect the lives of New Yorkers and keep the roads safe for motorists is a hot topic in Albany. With cell phones being so prevalent in our lives, it seems like something needs to be done to keep the roads safe. To learn more about texting and driving visit “It Can Wait” presented by AT&T.  Make the pledge to not text and drive.