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“Operation Hang Up” Launches Across New York: State Police Crack Down on Distracted Driving

Albany, NY – April 7, 2025 — Put the phone down or pay the price. That’s the message from the New York State Police as they launch “Operation Hang Up,” a statewide crackdown on distracted driving in support of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

From April 7 through April 14, State Troopers will ramp up patrols and checkpoints across New York, targeting drivers caught using electronic devices behind the wheel. The goal: save lives by eliminating dangerous distractions on the road.

“Distracted driving has become one of the most significant dangers on our roads,” said a State Police spokesperson. “One glance at a text can change—or end—a life in seconds.”

High-Tech Enforcement: CITE Vehicles Hit the Roads

As part of the operation, Troopers will deploy both traditional marked vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) cars—specially designed vehicles that blend into everyday traffic to catch distracted drivers red-handed. These undercover patrol cars can appear like any other vehicle on the highway—until the lights flash.

These stealth tactics allow officers to observe violations like texting, scrolling through social media, or holding a phone to the ear without immediately alerting the driver, making enforcement far more effective.

The Deadly Cost of Distraction

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,308 people were killed in distraction-related crashes in 2022 alone—a grim reminder that even a few seconds of inattention can have fatal consequences.

Last year’s Operation Hang Up campaign in New York resulted in 21,768 tickets issued, with 4,056 specifically for distracted driving. Officials hope to exceed those numbers this year in an effort to increase awareness and reduce preventable crashes.

What Drivers Need to Know

Distracted driving includes any activity that diverts attention from the road, but texting while driving is considered the most dangerous. State Police urge drivers to consider the following safety tips:

  • Pull over safely if you need to send or read a text.

  • Assign a “designated texter” if you're driving with passengers.

  • Stash your phone in the glove box or trunk if you're tempted to check it while driving.

Penalties in New York State

Using a handheld device while driving isn’t just dangerous—it’s expensive:

  • First offense: $50–$200 fine

  • Second offense (within 18 months): Up to $250

  • Third offense (within 18 months): Up to $450

  • Probationary/junior drivers: 120-day license suspension for the first offense; one-year revocation for a second

Bottom Line: Drive Now, Text Later

Whether you’re heading to work, picking up kids, or just running errands, the message is clear: Keep your eyes on the road and your hands off your phone.

New Yorkers can expect increased enforcement and zero tolerance for distracted driving during this campaign. Operation Hang Up runs through April 14, 2025—but the push for safer roads continues every day.

It can wait. Your life—and someone else’s—might depend on it.


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