Politics & Government

State Troopers Cracking Down on Drivers Using Mobile Devices

"Operation Hang Up" kicks off on Monday.

The New York State Thruway Authority says State Police Troop T plans to boost patrols along the Thruway during “Operation Hang Up,” which targets motorists using mobile devices while driving.

Stepped-up enforcement begins Monday, April 22, and will continue through Sunday, April 28. In addition to the Thruway, Tarrytown-based Troop T also patrols the New England Thruway and the Cross Westchester Expressway.

Cell phone use and texting are responsible for a significant proportion of traffic crashes, injuries and deaths, and these behaviors continue to increase despite their obvious danger, according to the State Police. In response, Troop T has made distracted driving enforcement a priority. 

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State Police Troop T says it aggressively enforces all traffic laws on the Thruway everyday, including the ticketing of motorists who use portable electronic devices. In 2012, Troop T issued 150,000 tickets, 4,664 of which were for cell phone violations. 

The Thruway Authority will be posting reminders on message boards throughout the Thruway system during the initiative.

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