Suffolk Sheriff Urging Drivers To 'Put The Phone Away, Or Pay' During Distracted Driving Month

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the national “Put the Phone Away, or Pay” high-visibility enforcement effort during Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

From April 6 to 13, the sheriff’s office will be joining law enforcement agencies across the state to conduct enhanced enforcement of texting and distracted-driving laws.

The sheriff’s office also launched a social media awareness campaign, urging drivers not to use their mobile devices while driving.

Sheriff Errol Toulon said that "distracted driving is a leading cause of vehicle crashes on our county’s roads, and most of this distraction is attributed to texting while driving."

“Our Deputy Sheriffs will be further increasing efforts to stop drivers from distracted driving," he said. "If you text and drive in Suffolk County, we will pull you over, and you will be fined.”

Nearly 39,345 people died in distraction-affected crashes over the ten-year period from 2011 to 2024, according to the NHTSA.

In 2024, there were 330,842 deaths linked to driver distraction and an additional 315,167 people injured in traffic crashes involving distracted driving, the agency said.

Violating the state's distracted-driving laws can be costly, with a first-time violation of this law designated a traffic infraction with a fine between 50 and 200 dollars, as well as five license points.

A conviction on a second violation, both within 18 months, results in a fine between $50 and $250 dollars, as well as five points.

A conviction on a third violation, all within an 18-month period, results in a fine between $50 and $450 dollars, as well as five points.

Many drivers are guilty of a “double standard” when it comes to distracted driving.

In its 2022 Traffic Safety Culture Index, the AAA Foundation reported that while nearly 93 percent of drivers believed it was very or extremely dangerous to read a text or email while driving, and nearly 40 percent drivers admitted to doing so within the previous 30 days.

Law enforcement is urging drivers to put their phones away when behind the wheel, and to pull over if they need to text.

These steps can help with a safe driving experience:

• If you are expecting a text message or need to send one, pull over and park your car in a safe location. Once you are safely off the road and parked, it is safe to text.
• Ask your passenger to be your “designated texter.” Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.
• Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving.
• Cell phone use is habit-forming. Struggling to not text and drive? Activate your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, or put your phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of your vehicle until you arrive at your destination.