Crackdown Planned for Drivers on Cell Phones

"Operation Hang Up'' starts Monday and runs through next Sunday

State Police are on the lookout for drivers illegally using cell phones and other electronic devices.      

"Operation Hang Up'' starts Monday and runs through next Sunday.      

The first "Operation Hang Up'' campaign took place over last year's Thanksgiving holiday. Troopers ticketed more than 800 drivers.      

The enforcement campaign is funded through a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.      

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a new law to strengthen enforcement of texting-while-driving violations last July. The law makes texting while driving a primary traffic offense, giving police the power to stop drivers solely for texting.      

Also, the penalty for using a handheld device while driving has been increased from two to three points on your license. 

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