Over 9,000 Fines Handed out to New York Motorists

During a one-day clamp down on driving while using a mobile phone, the New York City Police Department handed out a total of 9,016 tickets to motorists breaking the law. Individuals using a hand-held cell phone while driving in New York City face a fine of US$120.

During 2008, the NYPD issued 195,579 summonses in New York City to drivers using a hand-held cell phone.

The 24-hour initiative began last Thursday at midnight, and included assignments of additional personnel to vigilantly enforce the cell phone law.

A local journalist covering the event for the NY Daily News was himself fined after being caught using his cellphone while driving to cover the story.

Posted to the site on 15th March 2009