ALBANY -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says police officers wrote more than twice the number of texting-while-driving tickets in August than they had in previous months, after the state made the practice a primary offense.
Last month was the first full month that officers could stop a driver solely for using a handheld electronic device. In August, 1,082 drivers were ticketed statewide. An average of 427 texting-while-driving tickets were given out each month from January to June.
Lawmakers say the big increase demonstrates how badly the law was needed.
Besides making texting behind the wheel a primary offense, the law that took effect in July also increased the penalty for using a cell phone without a hands-free device from two points to three.
-- Associated Press
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