‘Put the Phone Away or Pay’ crackdown launched by New York State Police

The New York State Police are actively taking part in a national distracted driving enforcement campaign this week, stepping up patrols and ticketing efforts as part of April’s National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

The “Put the Phone Away or Pay” campaign runs from April 6 through April 13. During that time, state troopers will conduct targeted enforcement details aimed at drivers using electronic devices while behind the wheel.

Authorities said enforcement will include both traditional marked patrol vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles.

The unmarked CITE units allow troopers to observe violations from an elevated vantage point while blending into everyday traffic. But once activated, the CITE vehicles have emergency lighting and are clearly identifiable.

More than 3,200 people were killed in distraction-related crashes nationwide in 2024, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Last April’s increased enforcement effort resulted in 22,867 tickets issued by state troopers across New York, including 4,607 for distracted driving violations.

State officials urged motorists to take simple precautions to reduce risk, including pulling over to a safe location before sending or receiving messages, assigning a passenger as a “designated texter,” and keeping phones out of reach and site if distraction is a concern.

Under New York law, distracted driving penalties escalate with repeat offenses.

Fines range from $50 to $200 for a first offense, up to $250 for a second offense within 18 months, and as much as $450 for a third or subsequent violation within the same timeframe.

Probationary and junior drivers face stricter consequences, including a 120-day license suspension for a first offense and a one-year revocation for a second offense within six months.

_{Top: Photo by Pavol Duracka.}