NY, Starting Saturday, you’ll get 5 points on your license for texting while driving

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New York (WSYR-TV) – New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday that he has directed state agencies to enforce tougher laws on texting while driving.

Starting this weekend, if convicted of texting while driving you'll get 5 points on your license, up from the current 3 point penalty on your record.

In addition, Cuomo is proposing legislation that will establish tougher punishments for new and young drivers who ignore the ban.

Anyone with a probationary or junior license who is caught texting and driving would have it suspended for 60 days. After that, a second offense could mean the driver loses his or her license for six months.

According to the Governor’s office, there was a 143 percent increase in crashes stemming from cell phone use between 2005 and 2011.

In addition, the Governor’s office says there were 25,165 serious accidents involving distracted driving.