Texting While Driving Tickets Up 35% Statewide

Targeted Efforts by Law Enforcement Leads to 35% Increase in Tickets

Texting While Driving_RoadTickets issued to motorists for texting while driving increased 35 percent statewide from 2013 to 2014, as police continue to crack down on distracted drivers. In recent years, several initiatives have targeted reducing distracted driving, including texting while driving. 

The biggest increase was in New York City, where tickets jumped 50 percent from 31,835 in 2013 to 47,914 in 2014.

“This reckless behavior endangers everyone on the road and has resulted in far too much needless tragedy,” Governor Cuomo said on Monday.

Statewide, police agencies handed out 75,353 tickets in 2014 for texting while driving, compared to 55,673 in 2013. The biggest increase was in New York City, where tickets jumped from 31,835 in 2013 to 47,914 in 2014 – an increase of 50 percent. Since 2011, when New York State first enacted tough new driving while texting laws, tickets have increased more than 700 percent. Only 9,015 tickets were given statewide in 2011.

Under current New York State law, motorists caught texting and driving face up to a $450 fine and five points on their license. Probationary and junior drivers could face a 120 day suspension for a first offense, and can lose their license for one year if a second offense is committed within six months.

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