New York Cracks Down on Distracted Driving

October 03, 2012 (Press-News.org) By now almost everyone has heard about the dangers of distracted driving, and specifically texting while driving. Yet many New Yorkers continue to engage in these behaviors. This has prompted Governor Cuomo and legislators to take action. During the past year, New York has strengthened distracted driving laws and increased enforcement by police in hopes of preventing New York traffic accidents.

Current Distracted Driving Laws in New York

A law that was enacted last year made using a hand-held electronic device while driving a primary traffic offense for all New York drivers. This allows law enforcement to stop motorists solely for texting while driving and similar activities.

And stop motorists they did. Almost 21,000 tickets were issued for texting while driving violations in the year that followed the law's enactment in July 2011. This is over four times as many as the year prior.

Statistics over the past year show over 3,700 tickets were issued in Manhattan alone. Queens followed with 3,300 and Brooklyn with 3,200. "These tickets should send a resounding message to all drivers: keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel," explained Governor Cuomo.

Throughout the past year, New York has also tried to curb distracted driving through multiple awareness campaigns. This included "Operation Hang Up" where 150 drivers were stopped and ticketed within the first twelve hours of the campaign.

The Dangers of Distracted Driving

Despite these efforts, some drivers still cannot resist the urge to try to get one more thing done while behind the wheel, even if doing so puts their lives and the lives of others on the road at risk. Texting while driving remains one of the most dangerous forms of distraction, since it involves motorists simultaneously taking their hands, eyes and mind off of the road.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,092 people lost their lives in auto accidents involving a distracted driver in 2010, and over 400,000 were injured. Moreover, when motorists use a hand-held device while driving they are four times as likely to be involved in a serious car crash causing injuries.

What If You Are Involved in an Accident Caused by a Distracted Driver?

If you are involved in a crash caused by a distracted motorist, you likely want to hold the negligent driver accountable and obtain compensation for your injuries. An experienced motor vehicle accident attorney can provide information about potential claims and advocate on your behalf.

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