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NYPD Cracks Down On Cell Phone Use While Driving Today
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 15, 2011
Modified Mar 15, 2011
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By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 15, 2011
Modified Mar 15, 2011
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The NYPD is almost halfway through its 24-hour crackdown (it started at midnight) on drivers who are using cell phones. Here's what NY's Finest had to say about the effort:
Tuesday’s initiative is part of the NYPD’s focus on traffic infractions linked to death and injury.
The NYPD reminds all New Yorkers that the use of a hand-held cell phone while driving a vehicle is illegal. In addition, driving while texting or talking on a cell phone is dangerous and endangers both drivers and pedestrians.
Individuals using hand-held cell phones while driving in New York City face a fine of $100. Drivers will also receive 2 penalty points on their license as a result of a new law which went into effect on February 16, 2011 prohibiting the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. During 2010, the NYPD issued on average 611 summonses a day to drivers using hand-held cell phones.
Last fall, a texting teen driver critically injured a delivery man in Brooklyn. The delivery man later died and the driver was charged with negligent homicide.
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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