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New York State Police Announce
“Put the Phone Away or Pay” Distracted Driving Enforcement Campaign
Published: April 06, 2026 at
11:00 a.m.
By: Press Release
from New York State Police
New York State Police Announce
“Put the Phone Away or Pay” Distracted Driving Enforcement Campaign
The New York
State Police will participate in a national distracted driving enforcement
campaign as part of April’s National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
The enforcement effort, known as “Put the Phone Away or Pay,” will run from
Monday, April 6, 2026, through Monday, April 13, 2026.
During this
campaign, Troopers will conduct targeted enforcement details focused on
drivers using electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle.
Troopers will
utilize both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic
Enforcement (CITE) vehicles. These specialized vehicles allow Troopers to
better observe violations from an elevated vantage point. While CITE
vehicles blend into everyday traffic, they are clearly identifiable as
emergency vehicles when emergency lighting is activated.
According to the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 3,200 people
were killed in distraction-affected crashes in the United States in 2024.
During the April
2025 “Put the Phone Away or Pay” campaign, New York State Troopers issued
22,867 tickets, including 4,607 for distracted driving violations.
To help prevent
crashes and save lives, NHTSA recommends the following safety tips for
motorists:
- If you must send or receive a text, pull over
to a safe location and park your vehicle first
- If you have passengers, appoint a “designated
texter” to handle communications
- If you are prone to distraction, keep your
phone out of reach
New York State
law includes the following penalties for distracted driving:
- First offense: fine ranging from $50 to $200
- Second offense within 18 months: fine up to
$250
- Third or subsequent offense within 18 months:
fine up to $450
- Probationary and junior drivers face a
120-day license suspension for a first offense, and a one-year
revocation if a second offense is committed within six months
Distracted
driving remains a leading cause of preventable crashes on New York’s
roadways. The New York State Police urge all motorists to remain focused
behind the wheel and make responsible decisions to protect themselves and
others.
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