NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly plans to urge the state Department of Motor Vehicles to charge points on licenses for drivers who repeatedly violate the cellphone law, said a source who noted that the department was researching the legal issues of a tougher ban.
And the DMV confirmed it was already looking into stricter regulations for the entire state.
“It’s currently under review,” said DMV spokesman Ken Brown. “Clearly, we recognize that distracted driving is a safety issue.”
Asked if the DMV was mulling added fines or points, Brown said, “The entire section of the regulation is being reviewed.”
If it does add points to the penalty, New York’s cellphone ban would become the strictest in the country.
The number of city drivers ticketed for cellphone jabbering surged 13 percent last year, from 197,198 in 2008 to 224,044 — about 613 cellphone summonses a day.
Under current law, a motorist found guilty of driving while gabbing is fined $130, with no points charged to their license, no matter how many times they break the law.
If a driver accumulates 11 points in 18 months, his license can be suspended or yanked. Speeding tickets carry three to eight points, depending on speed.
Points can also lead to insurance-premium increases.
Texting while behind the wheel was banned in November. Typing transgressors are also slapped with $130 fines but can have two points charged to their licenses.
(Source: NY Post)
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One Response
I have asked many of our elected officials to push for 500.00 fines with 3 points on the license.
I am glad to see the police commissioner agreeing that this issue of people driving while yakking on cell phones is a seriuos road hazard to all of us.
There are some countries that have laws that if your caught the second time you lose your license privliges forver.
Anonymous