New York Issued 20,958 Tickets for Texting While Driving During Past Year

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday marked the one year anniversary of the state’s strict law to prevent distracted driving. The governor said that law enforcement officials issued 20,958 tickets to motorists for texting-while-driving violations since the law took effect on July 12, 2011 — which is four times as many than the previous year. The law put in place by state lawmakers and signed by the governor last year makes using a handheld electronic device for activities such as texting-while-driving a primary traffic offense — giving law enforcement the power to stop motorists solely for engaging in this activity.