New York State Governor, Andrew Cuomo, signed a bill into law this week that allows police officers to stop and ticket drivers whom they see texting while driving. Texting while driving had already been a moving violation, however, prior to the new bill, police officers were only able to ticket the offending motorist if the officer had pulled the driver over for another reason. Drivers guilty of the violation of texting while driving can receive up to a $150 fine.
In March of last year, the federal government issued a ban on commercial truck drivers texting while driving. The fact that both the federal and state governments have recognized the inherent danger of texting while driving should make for safer roads for drivers and pedestrians alike.