Using hand-held electronic devices while driving can be a costly and time consuming mistake. Leaving aside the perils that it poses on the roadway, the legal ramifications can also be quite severe. In New York State a violation of the hand-held electronic device provisions will result in five (5) points being assessed against your driving record.
A hand-held device is defined broadly, as any hand-held mobile telephone, personal digital assistant, hand-held device with mobile data access, laptop computer, pager, broadband personal communication device, two-way messaging device, electronic game, or portable computing device or other electronic device when used to input, write, send, receive, or read text for present or future communication.
You may be unaware of how many points are currently on your license, however, if you accumulate six (6) or more points within 18 months, an additional fee, called the Driver Responsibility Assessment fee, will be applied on top of your underlying fine and surcharge. The Driver Responsibility Assessment fee is $300 plus an addition $75 for every point after six. Getting five (5) points added in one single infraction will often send unwary drivers past the six (6) point mark.
What is more, you could face a license suspension if eleven (11) or more points are accumulated over an 18-month period. It is always good to be cognizant of the number of points on your license when determining how best to handle a traffic ticket.
Some additional high point violations include:
Speeding:
11-20 mph over: 4 points;
21-30 mph over: 6 points
31-40 mph over: 8 points
40 or more over: 11 points
Failing to stop for a school bus: 5 points
Reckless driving: 5 points
Following too closely: 4 points
Not unlike other traffic tickets, you can fight portable devise and cellphone use violations. Getting guidance on what options you have for fighting such a ticket can be important for drivers.