Drivers, think twice before failing to yield to pedestrians or using your cellphone: The NYPD is on day one of a two-day crackdown on drivers who aren't paying attention to the rules of the road.
The NYPD announced last night that it was started a "citywide initiative to address the use of cell phones/texting while driving and failing to yield to pedestrians."
The NYPD reminds all New Yorkers that the use of a hand held cell phone and texting while driving a vehicle is illegal. Driving while operating, talking, or texting on a cell phone or other similar hand-held device is extremely dangerous and endangers the safety of both drivers and pedestrians.
In addition, preserving the right of way for pedestrians is a primary focus of the NYPD’s traffic safety mission. Motor vehicle operators are also reminded that yielding to pedestrians at intersections is paramount to the safety of all New Yorkers.
The first day of the initiative will begin midnight, Tuesday, May 13th, 2014 and will conclude 24 hours later. The second day of the initiative will begin midnight, Friday, May 16th, 2014 and will conclude 24 hours later.
Read more: Source
=============================================================================
*Note: I'm posting this for motorists as well as pedestrians who use primarily rapid transit on this site, as a heads up: Be careful today when you hit the road. The NYPD is doing a sweep and will be blitzing motorists with tickets ridiculous. So for now until the initial sweep is over play it by the book when on the road.
I further suspect that they may be also blitzing pedestrians with tickets for jaywalking as well although not mentioned on this article. Which is why this article was posted just in time for day one of this NYPD initiative.