New York state police is taking a new approach to texting while driving law violation. Cops will secretly monitor driver behavior in 32 big unmarked SUVs that will patrol the streets of the state so that texting drivers can be ticketed.
The dangers of texting while driving are undeniable but several U.S. states are taking action against it by passing laws that ban the practice. In addition to bringing awareness on the risks of texting while driving, authorities are also installing texting zones on state highways with New York being the first one. New York drivers may have got away with texting while driving most often, but the new proposal makes it almost impossible to escape.
New York State Police will have access to 32 huge unmarked SUVs that will help the troopers in monitoring drivers' behavior. If the drivers are found texting while driving, cops will fire up the concealed lights to pull over the motorists. These vehicles are painted "mouse grey" and are not any different than the usual SUVs. But given the elevation of a SUV, it is easier for a cop to see if the driver's hands are on a mobile phone or on the steering wheel.
"You can see how oblivious they are to this vehicle," Trooper Clayton Howell said during an AP drive-along, while the CITE (Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement) car rode alongside a woman holding a phone. "I'm right next to them, and they have no idea.
The latest move is a boost from the state's previous measure to stop drivers from texting while on the road. Special texting zones were installed across the New York state highways and thruways for those drivers wanting to text. The state has 91 texting zones for drivers to park and use their phones safely.
Distracted driving has gained nationwide attention. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, during the daylight hours "660,000 drivers in the United States are texting, using cellphones or otherwise manipulating electronic devices." This has resulted in the deaths of 3,300 people and 421,000 injuries in crashes, last year.
