New York City bicyclists would be prohibiting from using smartphones and similar devices under an ordinance proposed by a Brooklyn councilman. City Council Member Mark Treyger says he was inspired to file the legislation after witnessing a distracted bicyclist nearly cause a multivehicle crash. Treyger cited an increased number of crashes involving bicyclists and pedestrians in recent years. "The city also has an obligation to promote safe cycling and to take steps to eliminate all forms of distracted driving and riding," Treyger, D-Brooklyn, said at a Nov. 14 press conference. "It … [Read more...]
San Antonio OKs handheld cell phone ban
November 6, 2014 by 7 Comments
San Antonio, the second-largest city in Texas, has outlawed use of handheld cell phones, effective Jan. 1. The city joins Austin, whose ban on the wireless communications devices also goes into effect with the new year. The moves come as chances for enhanced statewide distracted driving laws took a blow with the Nov. 4 election. Governor-elect Greg Abbott shares the current governor's dislike of efforts to "micromanage" electronic communications device use by the state's adult drivers. San Antonio's ban comes with a fine of up to $200 after a 30-day grace period. The city plans an … [Read more...]
New tech, new era of driver distractions
November 5, 2014 by 1 Comment
Lawmakers trying to come to grips with the technology behind distracted driving won't find the going any easier when they get back to work in 2015. Police across the nation already complain that state distracted driving laws are ineffectual in the era of smartphones -- devices that are essentially handheld personal computers. Many state laws were written when cell phone calls were the main concern -- and even text messaging was a relatively new phenomenon. Among the high-tech products distracting drivers -- and challenging lawmakers in 2015: Google Glass: Wearable technology that … [Read more...]
New N.Y. penalties, suspensions in effect
November 1, 2014 by Leave a Comment
New York drivers who text message or use handheld cell phones are looking at new maximum fines for the offenses. Young and new drivers, meanwhile, are flirting with a yearlong loss of their licenses for electronic distracted driving violations. "Driving habits are developed early, and we are sending a message that texting while driving is unsafe, unacceptable and downright dangerous," Gov. Andrew Cuomo (pictured) said in announcing the tougher distracted driving penalties and suspensions. "There have been far too many avoidable tragedies due to texting while driving, and with these new … [Read more...]
Wash. state panel: Rewrite cell phone laws
October 21, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The state of Washington was an early leader in distracted driving laws, but a transportation panel says it's fallen behind the times. Washington's Traffic Safety Commission seeks a complete and unambiguous ban on the use of handheld cell phones while driving. Washington state law "doesn't preclude you from looking at Facebook or the Internet as you're driving," said Darrin Grondel, director of the Traffic Safety Commission. The new legislation, expected to be introduced early in the 2015-16 session, would cover smartphone activities such as accessing social media sites and emailing. … [Read more...]
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