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Operation Hang Up Begins Monday

http://imgsrv.wben.com/image/DbGraphic/201104/1791035.jpg?1302324235Buffalo, NY (WBEN) State Police will keep an eye out on anyone using a hand held cell phone while driving over the next few days. Troopers announced the start of the fifth phase of Operation Hang Up, which starts Monday.

“Enforcement activities such as ‘Operation Hang Up’ have helped make the Thruway one of the safest roads nationwide,” said Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael R. Fleischer. “Increased cell phone use everywhere heightens the need to remind people that cell phones can become a dangerous distraction for motorists when driving. The Thruway Authority and Troop T will continue to drive home the simple message that cell phone use can be a distraction and a safety risk on the road,” said Fleischer.



Over the four-day “Operation Hang Up” initiative in Spring 2010, members of Troop T issued 879 tickets to Thruway motorists violating the cell phone law. During the entire year, 2010, members of Troop T issued a total of 8,172 tickets to Thruway motorists violating the cell phone law.


State Police Captain Michael Nigrelli compares the enforcement and education to when the seat belt law was introduced in the 1980s. "Compliance rates were very low, in the mid 20s," says Nigrelli. "The last study a couple of years ago shows compliance is almost 90 percent. That success was acheived through education, awareness, and enforcement and we're carrying that over to combat cell phone use."