New York has again strengthened its penalties for text messaging and driving. Gov. Andrew Cuomo also pushed through the legislature enhanced penalties for young drivers who ignore the texting law. "No parent should have to experience losing a child at the hands of a text message," the governor said at a May 31 news conference. "It's amazing how chronic and prevalent this activity is," Cuomo said. Effective immediately, DMV demerits against a texting offender's license increase from 3 to 5 points, making the distracted driving infraction an even-more significant factor in determining … [Read more...]
Wireless carriers gang up on texting
May 15, 2013 by 1 Comment
AT&T's "It Can Wait" campaign against texting & driving is getting support from some unlikely allies -- rival wireless carriers Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile. The safety ad campaign will deploy its new resources throughout the summer, which AT&T and AAA call "the 100 deadliest days on the roads for teen drivers." "Texting and driving is a serious social challenge, and we look forward to partnering with leading organizations and experts around the world to answer it," said Verizon Wireless chief Dan Mead. The ad campaign, which kicks off May 20, "will focus on the stories of people who … [Read more...]
Reports: Distracted driving gets worse
January 26, 2013 by 1 Comment
Distracted driving continues to increase in the U.S. -- despite new laws, widespread safety education and saturation media coverage -- several new reports suggest. "Most Americans believe this problem is becoming worse," said Peter Kissinger, president of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, which surveyed almost 4,000 motorists for its Traffic Safety Culture Index. Researchers in California report that electronic distracted driving doubled in the state from 2011 to 2012, citing a "substantial and dramatic" increase in use of handheld electronics. Smartphone sales grew about 45 … [Read more...]
Michigan enacts teen cell phone law
January 9, 2013 by 2 Comments
A ban on cell phone use by teen drivers has been signed into law by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder. The toll from distracted driving "strikes at all our hearts," the governor said. "This is an important chance to step up, particularly for young drivers," he said at the public signing ceremony for "Kelsey's Law" on Jan. 8. The ban on cell phone use by teens in Michigan goes into effect in late March. It affects drivers with a restricted (level 1 or 2 graduated) license. State Sen. Howard Walker's legislation was named for Kelsey Rafaelle (pictured), a Sault Ste. Marie teenager killed in … [Read more...]
Wisc. teen cell phone law in effect
October 31, 2012 by 1 Comment
A law prohibiting all cell phone use by novice drivers is now in effect in Wisconsin. The law primarily affects state drivers under the age of 18, but also applies to drivers of any age with various types of probationary licensing. The Wisconsin teen distracted driving law specifies use of "a cellular or other wireless telephone," but does not extend to other portable electronic devices. The ban applies to all cell phone use, regardless of whether a hands-free accessory is engaged. Fines under the Wisconsin law range from $20-$40 for the first offenses. For subsequent convictions … [Read more...]
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