Crime & Safety

State Police to Crack Down on Drivers Who Text

Distracted driving enforcement is a priority, says law enforcement agency.

If you're a driver who still texts the New York State Police are hoping to stop your bad behavior with stepped-up enforcement starting April 23.

The goal of "Operation Hang Up," according to Troop L Commander Major Patrick Regan, is an attempt to prevent crashes by changing driving behaviors. During the week of April 23 to 29 troopers will blanket area roads targeting drivers using cell phones and other electronic devices while driving.

“Electronic devices have become commonplace in our lives, but they have no place in the hands of a driver,” said Regan. “I’ve instructed our troopers to take a zero tolerance stance.”

Find out what's happening in Sayville-Bayportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Police have devised a number of enforcement strategies, including use of purposefully designed enforcement vehicles that allow them to patrol inconspicuously in traffic while providing a superior vantage point to observe phone use and texting. Known as CITE  (Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement) vehicles, the new stealth patrols bear no police decals, but are unmistakable as police vehicles when the emergency lights are activated.

Recent research indicates drivers talking on phones are four times more likely to be involved in a crash, and that the behavior of such drivers is equivalent to the behavior of drunk drivers at the threshold of the legal limit of .08 BAC.  Texting increases the risk more than 23 times.

Find out what's happening in Sayville-Bayportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration attributed more than 3,000 deaths last year to distracted driving, calling it a dangerous epidemic on America’s roadways. 

“The State Police is making distracted driving enforcement a priority, and we are changing our tactics accordingly to step up enforcement.” said Regan.   “This is serious. Our successes and failures are measured in human lives.”

Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, merely viewing a phone or other hand-held electronic device while driving is illegal. Violators may be fined as much as $150, be charged additional mandatory court surcharges, and be assessed three driver violation points.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.