Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Cuomo Signs Tougher Texting-While-Driving Law: "It's Not Okay For People To Do This"
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 1, 2013
Modified Jul 1, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 1, 2013
Modified Jul 1, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Governor Andrew Cuomo signed his law toughening penalties for drivers who text while driving today in Manhattan. In his signing statement, Cuomo said, "It’s not okay for people to do this. It’s not fun; it’s not cool. If you’re in a car with someone whose talking the cell phone or texting, you have to let them know it’s not okay."
If you're caught texting while driving, it'll be five points on your license (versus the previous three points; your license can be suspended or revoked with 11 or more points in an 18-month period). Further, if you're a junior or probationary driver who texts while drives, your license can be suspended—plus you'll get five points on your license.
Ben Lieberman, whose teenage son died while in a car whose driver was texting, said, "Teenagers throughout generations have always been fearful and inexperienced. But there’s something new with this generation, and that’s an addiction to smartphones."
Last year, a teen driver got no jail time for fatally striking (while texting) a delivery man in Brooklyn.
Tagged
governor cuomo
license
ny state
safe driving
texting while driving
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Plainclothes ICE agent with long gun looked like mass shooter, Mayor Mamdani says
The mayor said his administration would review ICE and NYPD actions surrounding Thursday’s shooting.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 11, 2026 at 1:49 p.m. ET
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
For a Democrat in a traditionally red NJ district, how to woo Republican voters
By
Mike Hayes
2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Ann Givens
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .