Effective today, New York drivers who are pulled over for using their hand-held cell phone while driving can expect an additional penalty—points off their license.

The cell-phone ban is nothing new. New York passed the initial ban in 2001 (It was the first state to do so). But that statute only attached a fine for the action—no points. However, beginning today, Feb. 16, drivers will be penalized two points in addition to the fine, which will, in some cases, adversely affect car insurance premiums.

While two points is considered the lightest penalty, one that insurance providers tend to overlook, if a driver has any additional points missing, the two-point penalty could place the driving record into dangerous territory and raise a red flag with the insurance company.

Unlike other non-driving related infractions that negatively affect insurance premiums, talking on a cell-phone while driving has been proven to be quite distracting, on par, according to some studies, with drunk driving.

"Distracted driving is one of the most serious dangers on our roadways today," said New York DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner J. David Sampson in a recent press release by the department. "By strengthening the current law, our hope is that motorists will become even more aware of the potential consequences of their actions if they use a cell phone while driving."

This new feature of the cell-phone ban is due in part to New York’s number of distracted-driver deaths. According to the NYDMV, in 2009, 5,500 people were killed in accidents involving a distracted driver. Over 400,000 were injured.

Although the law may be seen as a deterrent, New York’s government, which is broke, can use the money. The NYDMV estimates that they issue about 300,000 tickets for cell phone violations annually. That’s about $3 million in revenue a year.

—Theo Romeo