Assemblyman James Skoufis (D-Woodbury) announced that the governor signed into law legislation that will strengthen penalties for new and inexperienced drivers who are pulled over for texting while driving.
“Texting while driving endangers the lives of everyone on the road and has become a serious problem for our youngest drivers,” Assemblyman Skoufis said. “This new law makes it clear to young drivers that their focus should be on the road and not on their cell phones – simply put, the text can wait.”
Currently, probationary and junior licensed drivers face a 60 day suspension for traffic violations such as speeding or reckless driving. If another violation occurs within six months, probationary license drivers will have their license revoked for six months and junior license drivers will have their license revoked for 60 days. This new legislation would impose these same penalties on drivers with probationary and junior licenses for texting while driving (A.7739).
From 2005-2011, there has been an approximate 143 percent increase in cell phone-related crashes in New York State. In 2011-2012 there was a 234 percent increase in the number of tickets issued for texting while driving, Assemblyman Skoufis noted.i
“A driver’s license often gives young drivers a sense of freedom and independence but that feeling bares responsibility as well,” said Assemblyman Skoufis. “It is important for our drivers to learn good driving habits at a young age so that we can hopefully avoid tragedies and ensure the safety of those on the road.”
i. www.governor.ny.gov/press/05302013-texting-while-driving-penalties
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