NEW YORK – The New York City Police Department announced earlier this week that police officers would undertake a citywide crackdown on drivers distracted by cell phones for a 24-hour period, beginning Thursday, March 12.
The NYPD reminds motorists that the use of hand held cell phone while driving a vehicle is illegal. This has been the law for about a decade and it is now being strictly enforced. Driving while talking on a cell phone is extremely dangerous and endangers both drivers and pedestrians, warns NYPD.
Those who get caught will be subject to a fine of $120. During 2008, NYPD issued 195,579 summonses in New York City to drivers using a hand cell phone.