Nassau County Offers Distracted Driving Ed Program for Offenders

Cellcontrol, announced today that it has developed a program with Nassau County, New York to provide its award-winning DriveID technology to drivers ticketed for distracted driving. As part of the program, which formally began in June 2016, Nassau County prosecutors can offer ticketed individuals a chance to keep points for the offense off their license by going through the program. Since the program began, Cellcontrol has recorded a 98% success rate.

According to Centers for Disease Control, distracted driving kills eight people and injures over 1,100 more each day in the United States alone. Crashes and deaths in 2016 were some of the highest on record according to the National Safety Council. Beginning, June 1st, the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers begins. According to the latest statistics from AAA, teenage drivers cause the highest rate of accidents over the course of 100 days than any other similar timeframe during the year.

Nassau County issued approximately 6,000 distracted driving tickets to both teenage and adult drivers in 2015; around 2,000 of these were for texting. In an effort to reduce these numbers and promote positive driving behavior, the Nassau County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency is utilizing Cellcontrol’s distracted driving prevention platform. Cellcontrol’s DriveID technology disables the keypad while the vehicle is moving, stopping texts, email, web browsing, games etc. But it can allow for hands-free usage of navigation, music and Bluetooth calls, in line with state laws. Drivers must successfully use the system for 90 days and turn violation reports into Nassau County to successfully complete the program.

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano stated, “This alternative program gives drivers a second chance while being mindful that texting-while-driving is distracting and can cause injuries and fatalities.”

Current statistics for Nassau County’s Distracted Driver Education Program:

-The program officially began being offered on June 6, 2016.

-As of May 1, 2017, 1600 ticketed drivers have entered the program using Cellcontrol.

-Between June 6, 2016 and May 1, 2017, 98% of program participants successfully completed the program.

“We have helped tens of thousands of families and companies across the globe protect their loved ones and employees from the dangers of texting while driving and other distractions with Cellcontrol,” said Cellcontrol CEO Robert Guba. “Likewise, the success of the Nassau County program proves that Cellcontrol can help governments and municipalities keep their roadways safer and promote real, positive behavior change,” Guba said.