New York State Police Announce “Put the Phone Away or Pay” Distracted Driving Enforcement Campaign

The New York State Police will participate in a national distracted driving enforcement campaign as part of April’s National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The enforcement effort, known as “Put the Phone Away or Pay,” will run from Monday, April 6, 2026, through Monday, April 13, 2026.

During this campaign, Troopers will conduct targeted enforcement details focused on drivers using electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle.

Troopers will utilize both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles. These specialized vehicles allow Troopers to better observe violations from an elevated vantage point. While CITE vehicles blend into everyday traffic, they are clearly identifiable as emergency vehicles when emergency lighting is activated.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 3,200 people were killed in distraction-affected crashes in the United States in 2024.

During the April 2025 “Put the Phone Away or Pay” campaign, New York State Troopers issued 22,867 tickets, including 4,607 for distracted driving violations.

To help prevent crashes and save lives, NHTSA recommends the following safety tips for motorists:

If you must send or receive a text, pull over to a safe location and park your vehicle first

If you have passengers, appoint a “designated texter” to handle communications

If you are prone to distraction, keep your phone out of reach

New York State law includes the following penalties for distracted driving:

First offense: fine ranging from $50 to $200

Second offense within 18 months: fine up to $250

Third or subsequent offense within 18 months: fine up to $450

Probationary and junior drivers face a 120-day license suspension for a first offense, and a one-year revocation if a second offense is committed within six months

Distracted driving remains a leading cause of preventable crashes on New York’s roadways. The New York State Police urge all motorists to remain focused behind the wheel and make responsible decisions to protect themselves and others.