NYPD and State Officials Want to Raise Penalties for Driver who Talk on Their Cell Phones Without Headset

NYPD and New York State officials want to raise penalties for motorists who talk on cell phones without using hands-free devices. New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly plans to urge the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to charge points on licenses for drivers who repeatedly violate the cell phone law, according to the New York Post. The DMV has confirmed that it was already looking into stricter regulations.

DMV spokesman Ken Brown said, “It’s currently under review. Clearly, we recognize that distracted driving is a safety issue.” He also added that the DMV will review the entire section on the regulation of cell phone use while driving. If it does add points to the penalty, New York’s cell phone ban would become the strictest in the country.

According to the NYPD, the number of city drivers who receive tickets for talking on a cell phone increased 13 percent last year. Under the current cell phone law, a person who is found guilty of talking on a cell phone while driving is fined $130, with no points charged to their license. Texting while driving was banned in New York City in November. New York auto accident attorneys say that when drivers talk or text on their cell phones, they put themselves and others at risk of a crash that can result in serious injury or death.