Distracted Driving Crackdown: 15,000 Tickets Written for Speeding, DWI As Well

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The New York State Police issued more than 15,000 tickets during this year’s Operation Hang Up traffic enforcement period, which targets those who use electronic devices while driving. This year’s campaign ran April 6 - 10, as part of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

The Hudson Valley's two troops, F, which covers Greene, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and Ulster counties, and K, which patrols Columbia, Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester, accounted for 877 of the 2,005 tickets issued for distracted driving across the state.

"Distracted driving too often leads to avoidable tragedies, which is why this administration has zero tolerance for this illegal and dangerous behavior," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in an announcement about the crackdown's results. "I commend State Police and local law enforcement for their continued vigilance against reckless driving and tireless work to keep our roadways and highways across New York safe."

The distracted driving tickets written were for a combination of actions including talking on a cell phone without a hands free device, texting, or using an electronic device while driving.

State Troopers issued a total of 15,104 tickets during the campaign. In addition to the 2,005 for distracted driving, they issued 4,487 for speeding, 148 for violating the move over law and 596 for seat belt violations. Troopers also arrested 206 people for DWI and investigated 129 personal injury crashes, which resulted in one fatality and 171 people injured.

Troopers used both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement vehicles as part of this crackdown in order to more easily identify motorists who are violating the law. CITE vehicles allow the Trooper to better observe driving violations. These vehicles blend in with every day traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated, state officials said.

This campaign was funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

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