ALBANY (AP) -- Getting caught speeding or gabbing on the cell phone while driving in New York could become costlier.
Budget proposals from Gov. Andrew Cuomo would limit plea deals for speeders clocked more than 20 mph over the limit and expand the $80 state surcharge on traffic tickets to cover the parking violations speeders often plead down to.
Cuomo wants fines for talking or texting on the phone while driving to be at least $50 and rise to a maximum of $550 for multiple violations. There are currently no minimum penalties.
Cuomo's budget memo released earlier this week said the stiffer fines will prod phone users to change their ways.
The changes would eventually bring in $25 million a year. Cuomo says they'd also make the roads safer.
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