Text zones instead of Rest zones; txt you l8er !

texting
Let’s say you’re driving along a New York state highway and your BFF just texted you a hilarious joke that you have to reply to, you can now do so without risking an accident or a huge fine.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced yesterday the launch of a new “initiative” as he calls it, where 91 rest stops are turned into text stops where you can stop and text away, as well as putting up signs that show people how many miles they have left until the next text stop.

The state believes that his will both save lives and money, for New York is currently constrained by absent-minded drivers, thus enforcing harsher fines. The 91 text stop locations are listed here by WBNG.

“It can wait: Text stop 5 miles” will read the new highway signs. Cuomo recognized the difficulty of convincing the younger crowd of drivers to wait to answer their phone or even check the incoming text.

”We are always looking at new and better ways to make the highway even safer,” Thruway Authority Executive Director Thomas J. Madison said yesterday, according to WBNG. “Governor Cuomo’s Text Stops initiative is an excellent way for drivers to stay in touch while recognizing the dangers of using mobile devices while driving.”

Now, instead of the previous 3 added penalty points, drivers can be getting 5 added to their record as well as facing a $150 fine.

According to a summer crackdown that has been conducted on distracted drivers, it turns out that the number of issued tickets had quadrupled. To put those statistics in perspective; officers wrote 21,580 tickets as opposed to 5,208 written last year during the same period.

A total of 298 signs will be located along major highways across the state notifying drivers of 91 texting zones.

How are motorists being caught? State police have a fleet of unmarked SUVs with higher platforms so that officers can look down and see drivers texting.

The link between texting and accidents has been tested in a U.S. court. A New Jersey appeals court ruled last month that someone could be held accountable for an accident that happened miles away if they texted a driver involved in a crash.

What do you think about the new approach? Will it be beneficial or do you just think it’s absurd? Let us know what your thoughts are.