EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY (August 1, 2019): Nassau County Traffic Violations & Parking Agency (located at 16 Cooper Street, Hempstead, NY) no longer requires motorists to engage in the Distracted Driver Program for cellphone violations. Instead, the court will often offer plea bargains on cellphone tickets. We have been successful in often getting these cell phone and electronic device tickets to parking tickets with a fine of about $435, but of course less favorable outcomes are possible (and even a no-plea offer is possible).
PRIOR NOW-OUTDATED CONTENT BELOW:
Since 2012, 18% of all fatal crashes nationally involved a common cause: distracted driving. Across the country, various initiatives from state and local agencies are drafting new legislation to combat this issue and New York State is no exception. New York has one of the toughest distracted driving laws in the country. Violations for illegally using your cell phone or electronic device carry 5 points, more than any other moving violation (except speeding 21+).
Despite this tough law, Nassau County has decided to make it even more onerous. Last month, the Nassau County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency (TPVA), located at 16 Cooper Street, in Hempstead, rolled out a pilot program that outlines new rules for cell phone and electronic device tickets issued in Nassau County. The Program, called the Distracted Driver Education Program, targets unsafe cell phone and portable electronic device use while driving by making it much harder to plea these charges down.
Specifically, the Program adds a type of probationary period for offenders as a condition to receive a plea bargain. There are no classes (despite the program’s name) rather the “education” is through monitoring of your device while you drive for 120 days to ensure that you are no longer illegally using it. The Program also requires the motorist or their NY traffic lawyer to appear in court twice.
Below are the details.
Per the rules of the Program, all violators can plead guilty to the lesser charge of tailgating, a 4 point violation, and pay $283 in fines. This fine is due on the date of disposition, meaning you have no grace period for payment. You also must execute a special affidavit in which, among other things, you waive your rights to fight the ticket or appeal a conviction.
The case adjourns for 120 days. Meanwhile, within 10 days, the violator must, at their own expense, register to have a “cell control” device installed in their vehicle which will monitor the use of any electronic devices by the operator while driving. The device is the size of an EZ pass and costs about $125.
You or your NY traffic lawyer return to court after the 120-day period. This monitoring device generates a report, for presentation on the adjourned court date. If the report is “clean”, then the court will change your guilty plea from tailgating to a 0-point parking ticket. As you probably guessed, the court keeps the $283 that you previously paid as the parking ticket fine. If you the report is not clean, you fail to show up or you fail to produce the report, then the 4-point conviction remains on your record. If do not install the cell control device, the original 5-point ticket will end up on your record).
The intent of Nassau County’s new program is good as, through monitoring and a reward, it attempts to break a bad and dangerous habit. Of course, for motorists who want or need to participate in the Program, it is inconvenient and intrusive.
The bottom line, for the safety of yourself and others, put those devices away while driving! It is a rare text for which is worth risking your safety. Plus, at least in Nassau County (do not be surprised if other counties follow Nassau County’s lead), such an offense will be treated very seriously.
Nassau County’s Distracted Driver Education Program forms can be downloaded here. For free advice regarding fighting any traffic ticket issued anywhere in New York State, contact us.
4 Comments. Leave new
Hi ,
I just moved to NY from TX and I was driving with my Dad on non driving seat. I started my GPS from Source and When 3 Exit came , I got confused and Picked up phone to see the GPS which one should I take and unfortunately , Cops gave me 1225D as if he was hungry in giving in ticket. I told him that I have just moved from Texas , He told go to Court and fight. How do I get rid of this ticket. How much money they eat for this ticket.
This is pretty disgusting in NY State , I am missing Texas now with broader heart and broader land and Broader lanes. If this would have happened in Texas , People would have screwed up County in no time. I am thinking of going back to TX – Land of Free within few days of arriving.
Hasim,
The only way to get “rid of this ticket” is by going to trial and beating it. I suggest you explore a plea bargain, a mutually favorable settlement. Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
Hello Matthew,
I double parked (stopping) on the roadside using my cellphone to search nearest chase bank. Then after I started driving again, the police pulled me over and asked me, why were you stopping on the side using your phone? I told him I was searching for the address to go to chase bank. He told me you cannot do that. I told I cannot double parked my car and used my phone so I said sorry and gave my driver’s license. Soon after, he gave me a ticket for operating a motor vehicle while using a handheld electronic device.
How possible will my ticket be dismissed? Or getting a double parking ticket instead of using electronic device ticket. Thank you!
Boaz,
Did you even read this article??? Please re-read it for answers to your questions.
Matthew Weiss