In New York, being caught using a handheld cell phone or electronic device while driving can lead to points being added to your license. New York instituted these distracted driving laws to try to curb the number of accidents caused by drivers not paying attention to the road.
How many points for a cell phone ticket in NY?
In New York, a standard cell phone or texting ticket is 5 points. This applies to a first-time offense. If you repeatedly violate the cell phone use laws, the number of points can increase:
- Second cell phone ticket in 18 months – 5 points + 11 point suspension
- Third cell phone ticket in 18 months – 5 points + 6 month suspension
- More than 3 cell phone tickets in 18 months – 5 points + revoked license for a minimum of 1 year
So the first time you get a ticket for using your phone while driving in NY, it will be 5 points on your license. After that, the penalties and points increase dramatically for repeat offenses within an 18 month period.
Other NY distracted driving laws
In addition to handheld cell phone use, there are other distracted driving activities that can earn you points in New York:
- Texting while driving – 5 points
- Using electronic devices like laptops or video players – 5 points
- Reading while driving – 3 points
- Personal grooming while driving – 3 points
So any activity that takes your eyes and attention off the road can potentially lead to points on your license if you are ticketed. Cell phone use and texting while driving carry the heaviest penalties.
How many points before your license is suspended?
Here is how license suspension works in New York based on accumulated points:
Points | Penalty |
---|---|
6-10 points | Warning letter |
11-14 points | Driver improvement class required to avoid suspension |
15-20 points | 6 month license suspension |
21+ points | Revoked license until hearing passes |
So a single cell phone ticket would not typically cause a suspension by itself. But if you accumulated other tickets and points, a 5 point cell phone violation could potentially trigger a suspension once you reach 11 points or higher within an 18 month period.
Getting points reduced
If you do get a cell phone ticket in New York, here are some options that may help reduce your points:
- Plea bargain – Work with the prosecutor to plead to a lesser offense that does not carry points.
- Traffic school – Plead guilty and complete a NY DMV-approved traffic school course to have up to 4 points reduced.
- Driver responsibility assessment – Pay a fine upfront to reduce points by up to 4 for a single ticket.
- Hearing – Contest the ticket in court to try and get it dismissed or reduced.
Using strategies like these can help minimize the number of points that ultimately end up on your license for cell phone tickets.
Impact on insurance rates
Beyond license points and suspensions, a cell phone ticket in NY can also raise your insurance rates significantly. Insurance companies view drivers who use cell phones as a higher risk, so you can expect to see your premiums go up, especially after an initial violation. Exactly how much they go up depends on factors like:
- Your current insurance company and policy
- Your previous driving record
- Your age, location, type of car
Generally though, a single cell phone ticket can increase your insurance costs by 20% to 30% or more. Multiple violations for distracted driving can cause even higher rate hikes. Paying your insurance premiums on-time, taking defensive driving courses, and keeping a clean driving record for 3-5 years can help lower your rates again over time.
Why are cell phone laws so strict in New York?
New York has some of the strictest laws in the country when it comes to cell phone use and texting while driving. Here are some key reasons why:
- Cell phone distracted driving leads to thousands of accidents each year in New York.
- Texting while driving makes drivers 23 times more likely to be in a safety-critical event.
- Over 50% of teens admit to texting while driving in NY.
- Distracted driving accounts for about 25% of all accidents in New York.
By cracking down on cell phone use through strict laws with 5+ points attached, New York is trying to change driver behavior and reduce the number of preventable collisions caused by distraction.
Suggestions for avoiding cell phone tickets
To avoid costly tickets, fines, and points in New York, here are some tips for staying off your phone when driving:
- Turn your phone to silent or airplane mode before starting your trip.
- Mount your phone so it’s visible for GPS but not in your hands.
- Adjust settings to send auto-replies to incoming calls and texts.
- Pull over safely before physically handling your phone.
- Use hands-free voice controls like Bluetooth for necessary calls.
- Avoid dialing, texting, emailing, browsing or any handheld use.
Distracted driving is a dangerous and potentially deadly activity. By avoiding cell phone use behind the wheel, you can drive more safely and avoid tickets.
Conclusion
Being caught using your cell phone while driving in New York results in a 5 point violation on your license for a first offense. Additional tickets within 18 months can lead to even more points plus serious suspensions. Beyond points, a cell phone ticket will also impact your auto insurance rates and make your premiums more expensive. To steer clear of tickets, fines, and rate hikes, it pays to keep your hands off your phone and focus on driving whenever you are behind the wheel in New York.