New York Drivers Beware—Operation Hang-Up Starts This Week

For drivers in New York State beginning today, April 10, 2014, be careful if you are a hand held cell phone user on the highways and local streets. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the start of “Operation Hang Up”, by which officers will on the lookout for the next week for drivers who violate the cell phone law through texting or speaking on a cell phone while driving. Gov. Cuomo stated: “The message is clear: distracted driving is deadly and will not be tolerated on New York roads.”

State troopers will be in marked and unmarked vehicles seeking violators of the hand held cell phone ban. Further, officers will be in SUV’s that are modified to sit a greater height, so that officers can see in to vehicles for operators who are trying to text next to their seats so that they are not discovered.

The fine for a cell phone violation under New York’s Vehicle & Traffic Law is now 5 points, which is almost half of the 11 points in eighteen months that results in a suspended license. The fine for a first offense is $150.00. A third offense in 18 months results in a fine of $500.00. Beginning on November 1 of this year, drivers with a learner’s permit, junior or probationary license will be assessed a 120 day suspension of their privileges for a first texting or cell phone infraction. A second violation will lead to a one year suspension.

The more stringent enforcement of the hand held cell phone ban has resulted in an 82% increase in texting while driving tickets in New York City 2013 as compared to 2012. Outside of the city, the increase was even more substantial, at 89% from 2012 to 2013. In almost one half of New York’s 62 counties, (26), the amount of texting tickets issued more than doubled from 2012 to 2013. Locally, this was true in Westchester, Rockland and Dutchess counties. Statewide, there were 55,000 texting while driving tickets issued in 2013, increased from approximately 30,000 in 2012.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that in 2012, 3,328 people were killed and approximately 421,000 injured in motor vehicle accidents involving distracted drivers.

The New York State Police issued a statement that the State Police are “committed to keeping our highways safe for all motorists…this campaign is about protecting travelers from preventable injuries and property damage caused by distracted drivers using electronic devices.”


Contact the Westchester County Traffic Ticket Lawyers online or toll free at (914) 428-7386 if you or a family member is charged with a crime, including a DWI, DWAI, felony DWI, unlicensed operation or a traffic infraction. Our office offers a free consultation to discuss the charges against you and how our firm can be of assistance.