Suffolk County drivers glued to their phones are about to get a costly wake-up call.
The Sheriff’s Office is ramping up patrols as part of a weeklong crackdown on distracted driving, joining a national “Put the Phone Away or Pay” blitz that runs April 6th through April 13th. They're also launching a social media campaign with a tongue in cheek video featuring a diligent officer going to great lengths to keep an eye on drivers who text and drive.
Deputies across the county will be on the lookout for motorists texting, scrolling, or otherwise taking their eyes off the road, and they won’t be giving warnings.
“If you text and drive in Suffolk County, we will pull you over and you will be fined,” Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. said bluntly, calling distracted driving one of the leading causes of crashes on local roads.
The enforcement push comes as new data highlights just how deadly the habit has become.
Federal officials say 3,208 people were killed nationwide in distracted-driving crashes in 2024, while thousands more were seriously injured. On average, about nine Americans die every day because someone couldn’t put their phone down.
Still, many drivers continue to take the risk. A recent survey found nearly 40 percent of motorists admitted to texting or emailing while behind the wheel — even though an overwhelming majority say they know it’s dangerous.
In New York, the penalties can add up fast. A first offense carries fines of up to $200 and five points on your license, with steeper fines for repeat violations within 18 months.
Authorities say there’s no excuse. Drivers who need to send a message should pull over, hand their phone to a passenger, or activate “Do Not Disturb” mode before hitting the road.
Bottom line from law enforcement: keep your eyes up, your hands on the wheel, and your phone out of reach, or be ready to pay the price.