Put The Phone Down! Driving And Texting Will Cost You In New York

How many times have you been driving down the road and seen a car or truck swerving back and forth in their lane and when you pass them, the driver is looking down at their phone?

This just happened to me over the weekend. I was on my way back from visiting my son at college and I was on the 90 when I saw a car keep swerving over the center line from the right lane to the left.

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As I sped up and passed the car, I looked to the right, and sure enough, the driver who looked to be a college-age kid, was staring down at their phone while going 70 miles per hour.

THIS IS IMPORTANT REMINDER: That text can wait.

Of course, texting and driving is very dangerous and besides increasing the chance of getting into an accident if you are caught by the police it will cost you.

Here is a look at the fines in New York State for texting and driving.

$150 for a first-time offense;
$200 for a second offense committed within 18 months; and
$400 for a third or subsequent offense committed within 18 months.

Of course that is without any of the surcharges and fees associated with the ticket. According to the New York State DMV, surcharges can be as high as $93 per ticket.