Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday that during the Thanksgiving holiday, the New York State Police will conduct an enhanced enforcement campaign called "Operation Hang Up" to target motorists who use their cell phone and other electronic devices while driving.
"Over the Thanksgiving holiday we will be stepping up our enforcement measures to send a clear message to drivers: keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel," Cuomo said in a statement. "Using a handheld device while driving is illegal and puts the lives and safety of New Yorkers on the road at risk."
A law signed earlier this year made using a handheld electronic device for activities such as texting while driving a primary traffic offense, giving law enforcement the power to stop motorists solely for engaging in this activity. Additionally, the penalty for using a handheld device while driving has increased from two to three points.
Record numbers of motorists have been ticketed for texting while driving since the new law went into place, according to reports.
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