Suffolk Police to Target Cell Phone Violators

This weekend kicks off a week-long crackdown by Suffolk Police on drivers who text or use their cell phones illegally while driving.

The goal, says a press statement, is to change driver behavior regarding vehicle and traffic laws on the use of cell phones and portable devices. In early July lawmakers revised the texting law to make the holding of any electrnic device while driving unlawful. Previously, a motorist could only be issued a traffic ticket for driving while texting if the driver was also committing a separate moving violation.      

The enforcement initiative will run through August 6.

“Our officers will be on the lookout for distracted drivers, especially those using cell phones,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Richard Dormer said in a statement.

Officers from patrol, in both marked and unmarked cars, Community Oriented Police Enforcement and the Highway Patrol Bureau will be participating in the initiative, police said.

According to the county, drivers will face up to a $150 fine and three points on their license if found guilty of the offense.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2009, reported that nearly 20 percent of fatal crashes involved reports of cell phones as a distraction.