NY: U can txt while driving in special zones

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo unveils special “texting zones” along the New York State Thruway and state highways on September 23, 2013. (Photo: Governor Andrew Cuomo / Flickr)

Want to text while driving in New York? Go right ahead – just make sure you’re in one of the 91 designated texting zones.

Motorists now have special “texting zones” along the New York State Thruway and State Highways, which provide a pull-off area to park and use mobile devices. Existing Park-n-Ride facilities, rest stops and parking areas along the Thruway and Highways will dual-function as texting zones, and signage will be placed along the highway to inform drivers where the zones are located.

A total of 298 signs will be located along major highways across the state to indicate the 91 texting zone locations, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s office announced last month.

Just as these texting zones are launched, Cuomo announced a 365-percent increase in tickets issued in summer 2013 compared to summer 2012 for distracted driving, which has been attributed to an “extensive enforcement crackdown” by state police, according to Governor Cuomo’s office.

This past summer, state police issued 21,580 tickets, more than four times last summer’s ticket total of 5,208.

In 2011, 3,331 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver, compared to 3,267 in 2010, according to Distraction.gov. An additional, 387,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes, according to the government website. And 387,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver, compared to 416,000 injured in 2010.

“All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety, but because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction,” according to Distraction.gov.

“New York State is continuing to use every tool at its disposal to combat texting-while-driving,” Governor Cuomo says in a written statement. “In addition to tougher penalties, new detection methods for state police and ongoing public outreach efforts, we are now launching special texting zones to allow motorists to pull over and use their phones. These zones will be identified with signs along the Thruway and State Highways, reminding drivers that there is a nearby opportunity for them to legally and safely use their phone.”

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“With this new effort,” he continued, “we are sending a clear message to drivers that there is no excuse to take your hands off the wheel and eyes off the road because your text can wait until the next texting zone.”

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald says the campaign is sending a clear message to motorists that a text can wait.

“There is no text that is important enough to jeopardize a life, and anyone caught texting while driving will face stiff penalties,” McDonald says in a written statement from Governor Cuomo’s office. “I want to thank Governor Cuomo for his leadership to fight distracted driving and make our roads safe for all users.”

For more statistics on distracted driving, go to distraction.gov.

The following are the locations of the 91 Texting Zones:

Source: Distraction.gov