NEW YORK STATE-- April marks Distracted Driving Awareness Month nationwide, and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee has announced that state and local law enforcement are participating in the effort to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.
During the campaign, law enforcement across the state will be increasing patrols beginning, Monday, April 6, through Monday, April 13. Distracted driving is the most common contributing factor in all crashes in New York state.
“Your focus should always be on the road while driving with no exceptions,” said New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder. “Using a mobile device or anything else that takes your attention off the road puts you and others in unnecessary danger. If it’s really that important, find a safe place to pull over to make your call or send your text.”
To help educate drivers about the dangers of distracted driving, GTSC is utilizing social media, television, radio and variable message signs on highways.
During the enforcement period, New York State Police are conducting “Operation Hang Up,” a special enforcement effort to step up patrols and checkpoints targeting drivers on electronic devices.
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Drivers must be aware of their surroundings and consciously reduce distractions and behaviors that take their attention off the road. If you’re texting or talking on your cell phone, you’re not driving safely. Attentive, responsible driving is key to avoiding crashes and keeping our roads safe in New York state. The State Police will remain vigilant and continue to work alongside the GTSC and our law enforcement partners as we seek to eliminate the tragedies caused by distracted driving.”
To help deter drivers from talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device, texting, or using an electronic device, the state has set strict penalties. The penalties can range from $50 to $450 in fines, five driver violation points, and suspension or revocation of a license.
During the 2025 campaign, law enforcement throughout the state issued a total of 67,162 tickets for vehicle and traffic law violations, including 7,703 tickets for distracted driving.
According to preliminary data from the University at Albany’s Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR), in 2025 some form of driver distraction, such as inattention and/or cell phone use, was listed as a contributing factor in 36,646 police-reported crashes in New York state, 82 of which were fatal. To help prevent tragedies, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends the following steps for drivers:
• If you have to text, pull over to a safe location and park your car first.
• Distracted driving isn’t just texting. Scrolling through social media or messaging while driving is distracted driving, too.
• If you have passengers, appoint a “designated texter” to handle all your texting.
• Activate your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, silence notifications, or put your phone away so you won’t be tempted to respond.
• Speak up if you see someone texting and driving and ask them to put their phone away.
Juan Figueroa, president of the NYS Sheriffs’ Association, said, “Electronic devices can do many amazing things, but they also distract you while driving. Distracted driving is a leading cause of crashes, so when operating a vehicle limit distractions and focus on driving. The Sheriffs of New York State want you get to your destination safely so deputies will be on the lookout for distracted drivers.”
New York State Association of Chiefs of Police President Paul Oliva added, “Every second behind the wheel counts. Stay focused, stay safe, and protect yourself and others by driving distraction-free. New York State Association of Chiefs of Police (NYSACOP) members not only support this critical campaign in April, but engage with distracted drivers year round to change behavior and keep our roadways safe.”
Combined with enforcement campaigns, GTSC coordinates various traffic safety activities throughout the year and supports ongoing initiatives to improve pedestrian, motorcycle and bicycle safety. It also sponsors critical training for law enforcement, provides resources for teen drivers and their parents, and promotes seatbelt use statewide.
For more information about GTSC, visit trafficsafety.ny.gov.
During the campaign, law enforcement across the state will be increasing patrols beginning, Monday, April 6, through Monday, April 13. Distracted driving is the most common contributing factor in all crashes in New York state.
“Your focus should always be on the road while driving with no exceptions,” said New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder. “Using a mobile device or anything else that takes your attention off the road puts you and others in unnecessary danger. If it’s really that important, find a safe place to pull over to make your call or send your text.”
To help educate drivers about the dangers of distracted driving, GTSC is utilizing social media, television, radio and variable message signs on highways.
During the enforcement period, New York State Police are conducting “Operation Hang Up,” a special enforcement effort to step up patrols and checkpoints targeting drivers on electronic devices.
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Drivers must be aware of their surroundings and consciously reduce distractions and behaviors that take their attention off the road. If you’re texting or talking on your cell phone, you’re not driving safely. Attentive, responsible driving is key to avoiding crashes and keeping our roads safe in New York state. The State Police will remain vigilant and continue to work alongside the GTSC and our law enforcement partners as we seek to eliminate the tragedies caused by distracted driving.”
To help deter drivers from talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device, texting, or using an electronic device, the state has set strict penalties. The penalties can range from $50 to $450 in fines, five driver violation points, and suspension or revocation of a license.
During the 2025 campaign, law enforcement throughout the state issued a total of 67,162 tickets for vehicle and traffic law violations, including 7,703 tickets for distracted driving.
According to preliminary data from the University at Albany’s Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR), in 2025 some form of driver distraction, such as inattention and/or cell phone use, was listed as a contributing factor in 36,646 police-reported crashes in New York state, 82 of which were fatal. To help prevent tragedies, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends the following steps for drivers:
• If you have to text, pull over to a safe location and park your car first.
• Distracted driving isn’t just texting. Scrolling through social media or messaging while driving is distracted driving, too.
• If you have passengers, appoint a “designated texter” to handle all your texting.
• Activate your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, silence notifications, or put your phone away so you won’t be tempted to respond.
• Speak up if you see someone texting and driving and ask them to put their phone away.
Juan Figueroa, president of the NYS Sheriffs’ Association, said, “Electronic devices can do many amazing things, but they also distract you while driving. Distracted driving is a leading cause of crashes, so when operating a vehicle limit distractions and focus on driving. The Sheriffs of New York State want you get to your destination safely so deputies will be on the lookout for distracted drivers.”
New York State Association of Chiefs of Police President Paul Oliva added, “Every second behind the wheel counts. Stay focused, stay safe, and protect yourself and others by driving distraction-free. New York State Association of Chiefs of Police (NYSACOP) members not only support this critical campaign in April, but engage with distracted drivers year round to change behavior and keep our roadways safe.”
Combined with enforcement campaigns, GTSC coordinates various traffic safety activities throughout the year and supports ongoing initiatives to improve pedestrian, motorcycle and bicycle safety. It also sponsors critical training for law enforcement, provides resources for teen drivers and their parents, and promotes seatbelt use statewide.
For more information about GTSC, visit trafficsafety.ny.gov.
