Texting While Driving In New York Now A 5 Point Violation

Effective | June 1, 2013

The state of New York is cracking down on texting while driving.

Effective since June 1st, drivers caught talking on handheld mobile devices, texting, or emailing will face higher fines. In addition to an increase in the fine amount, offending drivers will also receive 5 points on their license for each violation.

Prior to June, the violation added 3 points the the offending driver’s license.

This new implementation marks one of the toughest texting while driving penalties to date.

New York law enforcement has been instructed to enforce this particular law strongly all throughout the summer months.

Effective | October 28,2013

The changes and new penalties for motor carriers and commercial vehicle drivers are as follows:

• A motor carrier must not allow or require their drivers to use cell phones or texting devices while driving.
• A mobile telephone used by a person who operates a commercial motor vehicle shall not be deemed a “hands-free mobile telephone” when the driver presses more than a single button to dial or answer the phone.
• A commercial vehicle driver is not allowed to make a phone call or use a texting device while the vehicle is temporarily stationarybecause of traffic, a traffic control device, or other momentary delays.
• A commercial vehicle driver who holds a mobile telephone to, or in the immediate proximity of, his or her ear while the vehicle istemporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device, or other momentary delays is also presumed to be engaged in a call.
• A commercial vehicle driver who holds a portable electronic device in a conspicuous manner while the vehicle is temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device, or other momentary delays is presumed to be using the device.

View the New York | Cell Phone & Texting Laws here.

Sources
MyFoxNy
Newsday
NYS DMV
Politics On The Hudson
WSJ Live