As a New York driver, it is important to remember that driving while using any device is ILLEGAL and can result in being pulled over and ticketed. It is a new law that has been implemented over 2013, and will continue to be implemented. As of July 26th, 2013, there are also new fines. The new fines are listed below:

• For a first offense, the minimum fine is $50 and maximum fine increases to $150.
• For a second offense committed within 18 months, the minimum fine is $50 and the maximum fine increases to $200.
• For a third or subsequent offense committed within 18 months, the minimum fine is $50 and the maximum fine increases to $400.

Texting while driving, or using any device while driving, is very dangerous, and can possibly be the cause of any car accident, resulting in death. For many of us this is a fact, and for others, it is a sad reality. Jacy Good, a native of Pennsylvania, lives this reality every day. In May of 2008, before cell phone laws were enforced, just hours after her high school graduation, the car Jacy was riding home in with her parents was struck by someone who was texting while driving. Unfortunately, Jacy’s parents never made it past the scene of the accident, but Jacy did. Although she was badly injured and hospitalized for over 3 months, she was blessed to have seen another day; She survived. A short while after her recovery, she began a foundation called ‘Hang Up & Drive’ with her high school sweetheart, who she recently married in October 2013, which is based in White Plains, NY. ‘Hang Up & Drive’ is a foundation that advocates for cell phone free roads. Jacy, and her husband, visit schools, colleges and corporations to share their story, and spread the knowledge of how dangerous using a cell phone while driving can be, hoping that people get the message and put the phone down. I am sure that texting while driving has affected many more people’s lives other than Jacy, which is why ‘Hang Up & Drive’ speaks to and for everyone.

Put the phone down –

It can wait…

To read more about Jacy, her story, and to even schedule for her to come speak at your school, college, university or office, please click here.