State Police, Putnam Sheriffs Conduct Distracted Driving Detail

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — With April being National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the New York State Police will participate in a distracted driving detail targeting motorists using electronic devices while behind the wheel.

This year's enforcement detail will run from Monday, April 4 through Monday, April 11, police officials said.

Troopers will be using both marked state police vehicles and unmarked vehicles to more easily identify drivers who are using handheld devices while driving.

State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said distracted driving continues to be a leading factor in motor vehicle crashes.

"Yet, the deaths and injuries caused by distracted driving are 100 percent preventable," he said. "Drivers must be aware of their surroundings and consciously reduce distractions and behaviors that take their attention from the road."

Putnam County Sheriff's Office will join the state police and other law enforcement agencies in the distracted driving detail.

Sheriff Kevin J. McConville said he urges drivers in Putnam County and elsewhere to put their phones away when behind the wheel.

"Keep your eyes on the road, not on your phone," he said.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,142 people were killed in the United States in distraction-affected crashes in 2020. To help prevent more tragedies, NHTSA recommends the following for motorists:

• If you must send or receive a text, pull over to a safe location and park your car first.
• If you have passengers, appoint a “designated texter” to handle all your texting.
• If you can’t resist the temptation to look at your phone, keep it in the trunk.

Current New York State law includes the following penalties for distracted drivers:

• For a first offense, the minimum fine is $50 and the maximum is $200.
• A second offense in 18 months increases the maximum fine to $250.
• A third offense in 18 months results in a maximum fine of $450.
• Probationary and junior drivers face a 120-day suspension of their license for a first offense, and one-year revocation of their permit or license if a second offense is committed within six months.