Politics & Government

Sen. Codey Calls For Banning Texting At Red Lights

Codey wants to pass a bill that will increase fines for texting at a red light.

While you may avoid the temptation of texting and driving, how about when you are stopped at a red light?

If Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex) had his way, he would make sure texting while stopped at a red light is just as illegal as texting while driving. 

Codey told WCBS 880 that he wants to pass a bill that will increase fines for texting at a red light that would be similar to those harsher penalties passed in New Jersey this year.

“So we want to change the law on texting to say, if you’re stopped at a light, that if you’re texting, you’re in violation of the law, because presently you’re not,” the former governor told WCBS 880.

Stricter penalties for talking or texting while driving were put into effect during the summer. The new bill increased fines to between $200 to $400 for a first offense, $400 to $600 for a second offense, and $600 to $800 in addition to 3 motor vehicles points for a third or subsequent offenses. 

The new law also allows courts to suspend someone's driver's license who are convicted of a third or subsequent offense.

What do you think, Patch readers? Do you think the Senate should increase penalties for texting at a red light?


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