NEW YORK (WPIX)—
The New York Police Department is cracking down on drivers using hand-held cellphone all day Thursday.The 24-hour citywide ticketing blitz is meant to serve as a reminder to drivers they must use hands-free devices while operating their vehicle.
"The NYPD reminds all New Yorkers that the use of a hand-held cell phone while driving a vehicle is illegal," the NYPD said in a statement. "In addition, driving while talking on a cell phone is dangerous and endangers both drivers and pedestrians."
Individuals who are caught violating this law will be fined $130.
According to a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2002 more than 950 deaths and 240,000 accidents were related to cell phone use.
During an earlier 24-hour ticketing blitz in March, city police issued 8,797 summonses for illegal cell phone use. In 2008, city police wrote a daily average of 536 summonses for this offense.
