New York Continues Battle Against Distracted Driving
In recent months, the state of New York moved ahead in the battle against distracted driving through innovative campaigns that address the problem in different ways.
Beginning July 4, state police began using Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE). Troopers make use of a fleet of modified sports utility vehicles (SUVs) to move through traffic directly observing drivers who text while driving. Unmarked and painted to blend in with traffic, the CITE vehicles dramatically increased the number of motorists cited for cell phone and texting violations as follows:
- Between July 4 and Labor Day, 2012, 5,208 motorists were cited for cell phone (4,284) or texting (924) violations.
- In the same period in 2013, 21,580 motorists were cited for cell phone (16,027) and texting (5,553) violations.
Beyond law enforcement, in late September Governor Andrew Cuomo announced 91 texting zones for motorists to pull out of traffic and use their phones. Bright blue signs inform motorists of the distance to the next texting zone.
Using existing rest stops, park and ride and other spaces, Mr. Cuomo noted “[w]ith this new effort, we are sending a clear message to drivers that there is no excuse to take your hands off the wheel and eyes off the road because your text can wait until the next texting zone.”
Like drunk driving, the decision to text and drive is personal and may have devastating consequences. If you occasionally text or talk on the phone when driving, do not do it. If you have been injured by someone who made the choice to drive distracted, seek experienced advice from a Long Island personal injury attorney. Se habla español.