Under New NY Law, 2-Point Penalty on License if Caught Texting or Talking on Cell Phone
Starting February 16, if a motorist is caught texting or talking on their cell phone while driving in New York, it will result in a 2-point penalty on their driver’s license and a fine, according to WICZ. Offenders could face a fine of up to $100 for talking on their cell phones and $150 for texting. Additionally, if an individual is using their cell phone while driving and they cause an accident, it could lead result in a permanent mark on their record.
Distracted driving accidents in New York occur more often than some people might think. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2009, 5,474 people were killed due to distracted drivers with 995 of those accidents involving the use of a cell phone, which is about 18 percent of fatalities in distraction-related accidents. Another 448,000 people were injured in distracted driving crashes, with about 24,000 injured in an accident caused by cell phone use.
Texting or talking on a cell phone takes a motorist’s focus away from the road and could make the risk of a New York car accident that much higher. It is the responsibility of all drivers to take proper precautions to ensure the safety of themselves and others; however, when a text or a phone call becomes more important than paying attention to the road, and an innocent person is injured or killed as result of another driver’s distraction, the negligent driver could be held legally responsible for the accident and related losses.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a car crash that was caused by a distracted driver, it would be in your best interest to contact an experienced New York auto accident attorney like those at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro, LLP. We have the skill needed to successfully handle a wide variety of car crash injury cases and can uphold your legal rights in a court of law. Our attorneys can hold the negligent parties accountable for your accident and garner you the compensation you deserve. Damages may include coverage for medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of income, rehabilitation, vocational training, and more. Contact Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro, LLP today at 1-212-986-7353 to schedule a free consultation.
