NY Police To Take Part In Distracted Driving Enforcement Campaign

LONG ISLAND, NY — The Riverhead Police Department, among police officers across New York State, will be participating in an upcoming "high-visibility"enforcement campaign to combat distracted driving.

The campaign will be taking place April 4 though April 8.

Officers throughout New York State will be targeting vehicle and traffic violations involving the use of cell phones by drivers.

In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a new tag line for this year's effort: "Put the Phone Away or Pay."

The tagline replaces the former "U Drive U Text U Pay."

The distracted driving enforcement campaign was organized to remind drivers of the deadly dangers and the legal consequences — including fines — of distracted driving, officials said.

In 2001, New York became the first state in the nation to ban hand-held cell phone use while driving, the NHTSA said

In recognition of the additional dangers posed by the increasing use of cell phones to send and receive text messages, further legislation was enacted in 2009 prohibiting texting while driving. That section of the state's vehicle and traffic law also bans uses of portable electronic devices while driving, such as taking photos, accessing the internet, and playing games, officials said.

Police advised drivers who are expecting a text message or need to send one, to pull over and park their car in a safe location.