New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has taken a lot of flak for some of his recent regulatory efforts, most notably the effort to control the size of soda that can be sold. Say what you will about his other moves, I think the governor’s push to increase fines for those who text while driving makes perfect sense.

In a posting on TMCnet, contributing writer Alice Koganova explains the governor recently announced new and increased fines for distracted driving violations, including texting-while driving or otherwise using an electronic handheld device. As a result, first offenses cost $50-150. Get caught again within the following 18 months, and you pay up to $200. Three strikes: $400.

“Combined with stronger penalties on your license and increased enforcement, these increased fines will send a tough message to all drivers that distracted driving is a serious problem with serious consequences,” he said. “Using a multi-pronged approach to combat this dangerous habit will make drivers think twice before using their cell phones behind the wheel. As New York’s law enforcement patrols our highways and roads this summer, we are warning drivers: Don’t text-and-drive or you will pay for it.”

As much as some folks don’t want the government to impede their personal freedoms, I think we can all understand that lives are at risk here, and that waiting to initiate or respond to a communication or otherwise check an electronic device makes sense if it means the difference between life and death.Statistics pointing out that at least 23 percent of motorist collisions in 2011 involved cell phones indicate the extreme risk the use of these devices can cause motorists and others in the vicinity.

We’ve all seen folks wander into another lane and then notice they are on a device that probably caused the distraction. We’ve seen the sad commercials about the person texting who killed others as a result of not stopping.

My own home was driven into by a distracted young lady who was texting at the time. There was lots of damage, and I was not happy. The good news is that she hit the house rather than a human being. The bad news is there’s seldom a house separating you from the temporarily driverless vehicle.