The New York State Police issued a total of 22,867 tickets during this year’s “Operation Hang Up” traffic enforcement period, including 4,607 tickets for distracted driving. This special traffic detail, which ran from Monday, April 7, 2025, to Monday, April 14, 2025, targeted drivers using electronic devices while behind the wheel.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,275 people were killed in crashes caused by distracted driving nationwide in 2023.
During the April 2024 “Operation Hang Up” campaign, State Police issued 21,768 tickets, including 4,056 for distracted driving. These violations included talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device, texting, or using an electronic device while driving.
Western New York’s Troop A, headquartered in Batavia, issued 267 tickets for texting, and 88 for cell phone use, totaling 355 for distracted driving. In all, 2,150 vehicle and traffic tickets were issued in Western New York.
Current New York State law includes the following penalties for distracted drivers:
- For a first offense, the minimum fine is $50 and the maximum is $200.
- A second offense within 18 months increases the maximum fine to $250.
- A third offense within 18 months results in a maximum fine of $450.
- Probationary and junior drivers face a 120-day license suspension for a first offense, and a one-year revocation of their permit or license if a second offense is committed within six months.
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