Crime & Safety
In New York, a Better Chance Texters Will Get Caught
As the state ramps up its crackdown, state police have a better view.
New York has lifted its war on texting - literally.
The state has equipped state police with unmarked SUVs that help them see if drivers are texting while driving.
The state has aggressively cracked down on texting. In the summer, state police wrote up 5,553 tickets for texting, compared to 924 for the same period in 2012, according to an Associated Press report.
The state has also increased penalties. A texting ticket can cost as much as $200, and five points on the driver's record.
The SUV strategy has earned the endorsement of Jonathan Adkins, the deputy executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association, who told the AP that, "It's an intriguing approach and one that we think will pay dividends and be duplicated in other states."
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