Cuomo Signs New Ban On Texting While Driving

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday signed a new law designed to be an aggressive tool in the fight against texting behind the wheel.

The law, which makes texting while driving a primary offense, is designed to prevent drivers from endangering themselves and others on the road by driving distracted.

As a primary offense, police officers on a traffic patrol can now pull over and ticket any driver they see texting while driving, as opposed to a previous law, under which drivers had to be pulled over for another offense to be ticketed for texting.

Cuomo, for his part, said he felt good about the new law.

"I am proud to sign this bill today, both as the Governor and as a father of three teenagers," he said. "It's plain and simple: distracted driving leads to tragedies that have affected families all across New York. This new law will help ensure that drivers keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.”

Signed on Tuesday, the law went into effect immediately. Drivers caught texting behind the wheel can be ticketed for $150.

In addition to the act of texting itself, the law prohibits drivers from taking pictures with or playing games on their mobile devices, checking e-mail, or browsing the Internet.

NYPD Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said the law was a step in the right direction for New York.

"It's no secret that violations of the no-texting and no use of hand held devices while driving rules are widespread despite their nexus to accidents, including fatalities,” Kelly said. “This legislation is a welcome step toward saving lives."