Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation that creates new penalties for texting-while-driving for young and new drivers to better protect New Yorkers on the road.
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Currently, probationary and junior licenses are suspended for 60 days for violations such as speeding, reckless driving, or following too closely behind another vehicle. Such licenses are revoked for 6 months (for probationary licenses) or 60 days (for junior licenses) if there is another violation within 6 months of the license being restored.
The new law signed by the Governor today imposes the same penalties on drivers with probationary and junior licenses for texting-while-driving and using a hand-held cell phone that they now receive for speeding and reckless driving: 60-day suspensions for first convictions and revocations of 60 days (for junior licenses) or 6 months (for probationary licenses) for subsequent convictions within 6 months of the time a license is restored after suspension. This is effective immediately.
"Today's new law sends a powerful message to our young and new drivers that texting-while-driving will not be tolerated here in New York State. Statistic after statistic shows that texting-while-driving is a chronic problem in our society, particularly among teenagers, and it will only get worse if we do not take action to prevent this deadly behavior," Governor Cuomo said.
"The obsession and addiction of using cell phones in cars endangers the lives and safety of every driver on the road; it has to stop. This new law will reinforce the message that distracted driving is serious and dangerous and that a driver's focus should be on the road, not their cell phone, when they are behind the wheel. I am pleased to have worked with Governor Cuomo on this legislation and applaud him for signing it into law," said Senator Charles Fuschillo Jr.
Today's signing follows recent actions taken by the Governor to enhance safety on New York's roads. Last month, the Governor directed the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to implement tougher penalties for texting-while-driving for all drivers. On June 1, 2013, DMV increased the number of points earned against an individual's driving record upon conviction for texting-while-driving and cell-phone related infractions from three points to five points. ■
Under an intense surge of arctic air, Friday morning will begin with the coldest temperatures so far this season across much of the central and eastern U.S. with blustery conditions and a piercing wind chill.