816 Texting Tickets Issued in NY Thanksgiving Weekend

330 of them were through Operation Hang-Up Nov. 23 to 27

New York state police report issuing 816 tickets over the Thanksgiving holiday to drivers who were texting at the wheel.

Authorities say approximately 330 of the tickets were a direct result of tougher enforcement through "Operation Hang-Up" Nov. 23-27 by troopers on patrol.

A federal grant helped pay for the effort.

From January to June, about 430 tickets were issued each month to motorists for using a hand-held electronic device while driving.

Since a new law making that a primary traffic offense was signed in July, at least 1,000 tickets have been issued each month.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says Thursday the more than 800 tickets issued in five days shows the need for the stricter law against texting drivers who put others at risk.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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