CHENANGO COUNTY – Texting-while-driving has been a growing epidemic in recent years, one which experts often hold in the same light as drunk driving. In response to the apparent increase, which has often been attributed to the popularity of smart phones, New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Friday a new initiative to curb texting-while-driving through more severe penalties, some of which went into effect this past weekend.
The recently enacted initiative increases the points received on a license for distracted driving from three to five. Under current regulations, if an individual receives 11 points within the time frame of 18 months, their license will be suspended.
Further legislation has also been proposed as a facet of the 2013-2014 state budget which will increase the cost of fines for texting-while-driving, as well as inflict harsher penalties specifically designed to target youthful motorists. For probationary and junior license holders, first time offenses will result in a 60-day suspension, while a second offense within six months of the license’s return will result in six month revocation for probationary license holders and a 60-day revocation for a junior license holder. The proposed maximum fines will also increase to $150 for a first offense, $200 for the second offense within 18 months, and $400 for third offenses, also within 18 months of the first offense.
“Driving while trying to text is not only difficult, it’s dangerous and illegal,” said Norwich Chief of Police Joseph Angelino. “I can’t imagine any text message that is so urgent that a motorist would need to attempt to text a reply while driving a vehicle.”
Nevertheless few tickets for texting have been issued within Norwich city limits.
“The good thing is that we see motorists pulled to the side of the road using their devices. Even then, please remember to find a safe location that doesn’t block traffic,” added Angelino.
Part of the governor’s recent edict includes a substantial increase in the enforcement of the ban on texting-while-driving during the summer months by New York State Police, resulting in a substantial upswing in checkpoints and patrols as well as details designed to ensnare those texting while driving.
“I would hope the number of instances of texting-while-driving will go down and people will realize it is a serious safety issue with consequences,” said Troop C Traffic Supervisor Sgt. Joseph M. Hommel, stationed out of the Troop C headquarters in Sidney (Troop C has stations located in both Greene and Norwich which patrol Chenango County).
Between the months of May 2012 and May 2013, 326 texting tickets were issued by Troop C officers, along with 1,739 cell phone tickets totaling in 2,065 tickets. Of those tickets, 175 texting tickets were issued along with 841 cell phone tickets between January 1, 2013, and the end of May. In the month of May alone, 46 texting tickets were issued, as well as 194 cell phone tickets, for a total of 240 tickets.
Ticketing for texting works similar to seatbelt enforcement. If people are seen texting they will be pulled over and ticketed. The state troopers are well equipped to catch people who are texting-while-driving through the use of unmarked SUVs which are called sight vehicles. The larger inconspicuous vehicles allow for law enforcement agents to easily see into other cars and catch those breaking the law unaware. State Troopers also set up road details, using an unmarked cruiser to tag those texting which in turn radios ahead to marked police cars.
“It has been very effective,” said Hommel of the details, which also keep an eye out for drivers who are not wearing their seatbelts. “There is no text that is worth risking your life or the lives of others.”