Politics & Government

New Law Ups Penalties for Teen Texting While Driving

A new law targeted at probationary license holders and junior permit or license holders went into effect Monday. The law increases penalties for texting or using a cell phone while driving.

Assemblyman David Buchwald (D-Westchester) announced that Governor Cuomo signed a bill to discourage young and new drivers from texting while driving (A.7739).  The bill, sponsored by Buchwald, was signed into law on Monday and went into effect immediately.

Distracted driving has led to car accidents, injuries and fatalities impacting Westchester residents and, according to a Consumer Reports study, the popularity of text messaging as a means of communication has grown tremendously in the past decade.

“It’s important that we communicate to young drivers at an early stage that distracted driving is a serious matter and can sometimes lead to deadly consequences,” said Assemblyman Buchwald in a release. Buchwald, who blogs on Patch, co-sponsored the bill. To read Buchwald's blog about the new law, click here.

The new law increases penalties for texting or using a cell phone while driving on two different categories of permits and licenses: probationary license holders and junior permit or license holders.

For more information on distracted driving facts visit www.focusdriven.org

Pledge to never use your cell phone while driving here.
 

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