ALBANY – State Police issued more than 15,000 tickets during this year’s Operation Hang Up, which ran from April 6 through April 10, including more than 2,000 for distracted driving.
Troopers issued 1,507 tickets in the Capital District with 495 for speeding with 222 for distracted driving, which includes using a cell phone or other electronic device. Other tickets included 21 for DWI, 74 for not having the proper child restraint or seat belt and for failing to follow the move over law.
The most tickets were issued on the Thruway, where troopers handed out 2,176 tickets including 192 for distracted driving.
“Traffic safety is a mission priority for our Troopers, and we are out on the roads each and every day to ensure the safety of all motorists,” said State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II. “Distracted driving is just as dangerous as speeding or impaired driving, and is a leading cause of motor vehicle crashes.”
Troopers used both marked State Police vehicles and undercover Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement vehicles, which blend in with every day traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.
Statewide, troopers issued 15,104 tickets during the campaign, including 2,005 for distracted driving, 4,487 for speeding, 148 for move over law and 596 for seat belt violations. Troopers also arrested 206 people for DWI and investigated 129 personal injury crashes, which resulted in one fatality and 171 people injured.
“Distracted driving too often leads to avoidable tragedies, which is why this administration has zero tolerance for this illegal and dangerous behavior,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “I commend State Police and local law enforcement for their continued vigilance against reckless driving and tireless work to keep our roadways and highways across New York safe.”
During the April 2016 Operation Hang Up campaign, State Police issued more than 18,000 tickets, including more than 2,000 tickets for distracted driving.
“It only takes a moment of distraction to cause a crash that could prove fatal. It is simply not worth it,” said Department of Motor Vehicles Executive Deputy Commissioner Terri Egan. “Wait until you get to a safe place, stop your car and then send that message or make that call.”