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RateOutlawing a dangerous habit
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Proposal would ban texting while driving
By Melanie Lekocevic
CATSKILL — Ironically, talking on your cell phone while driving is illegal, but using the same phone for texting isn’t. It’s a legal loophole that local law enforcement officials are trying to close.
Sheriff Greg Seeley is urging the Greene County Legislature to adopt a new law that would make it illegal to send text messages while you’re driving. He said it’s a dangerous habit that leads drivers to operate their vehicle not only while distracted, but with their hands off the steering wheel.
“This is a vitally important law,” Sheriff Seeley told legislators. “I am no fan of putting more and more laws on people, but this is something important.”
Local Law Number 1 of 2009 would make it illegal to use a wireless handset to compose, read or send text messages while operating a motor vehicle on any public road. With the popularity of texting growing - the practice of using cell phones to send ‘written’ messages - it has become more and more of a problem for law enforcement officials.
And, it could be argued, texting while driving poses more of a danger than talking on a cell phone. It requires the driver to use their eyes and both their hands, taking away their concentration and their control of the vehicle. Some end up steering with their elbows or knees, and both present a distinct danger.
“Texting is worse than talking on the phone,” Interim County Administrator Dan Frank said.
If adopted, the law would give police the ability to ticket drivers who are caught texting while behind the wheel. Until now, that hasn’t been the case, and officials say it is time the laws caught up with technology.
“Right now, you can get a ticket only if you are talking on the telephone with the phone up to your ear,” Sheriff Seeley said.
Should the legislature vote at their June meeting to adopt the law, the county would not be the first to do so.
“Similar laws are being passed by other counties around the state,” Legislature Chairman Wayne Speenburgh (R-Coxsackie) said. Albany, Schenectady and Suffolk Counties have all done the same.
In fact, texting while driving has been blamed for two major motor vehicle accidents in recent weeks in other counties, Seeley said.
While the sheriff’s department can’t do anything yet about drivers caught texting while driving, they can issue tickets to those who talk on their cell phones. According to Seeley, a recent crackdown on cell phone use by drivers nabbed 180 violators.
“This is protecting people and saving lives,” Seeley said. “And we have had a very positive response from the community.”
The Public Safety Committee of the legislature unanimously approved the resolution, but before it becomes official the legislature will hold a public hearing. That hearing will be held on June 17 at 6:15 p.m.
In other news, the county is planning on holding another hazardous waste collection day for county residents who want to dispose of items like paint cans, which cannot be thrown away with the rest of their trash or recyclables. Last year, items were collected in two different locations - in Athens and in Ashland. The next collection day - probably in June - will likely be in Athens again, but residents from anywhere in the county can participate.
By Melanie Lekocevic
CATSKILL — Ironically, talking on your cell phone while driving is illegal, but using the same phone for texting isn’t. It’s a legal loophole that local law enforcement officials are trying to close.
Sheriff Greg Seeley is urging the Greene County Legislature to adopt a new law that would make it illegal to send text messages while you’re driving. He said it’s a dangerous habit that leads drivers to operate their vehicle not only while distracted, but with their hands off the steering wheel.
“This is a vitally important law,” Sheriff Seeley told legislators. “I am no fan of putting more and more laws on people, but this is something important.”
Local Law Number 1 of 2009 would make it illegal to use a wireless handset to compose, read or send text messages while operating a motor vehicle on any public road. With the popularity of texting growing - the practice of using cell phones to send ‘written’ messages - it has become more and more of a problem for law enforcement officials.
And, it could be argued, texting while driving poses more of a danger than talking on a cell phone. It requires the driver to use their eyes and both their hands, taking away their concentration and their control of the vehicle. Some end up steering with their elbows or knees, and both present a distinct danger.
“Texting is worse than talking on the phone,” Interim County Administrator Dan Frank said.
If adopted, the law would give police the ability to ticket drivers who are caught texting while behind the wheel. Until now, that hasn’t been the case, and officials say it is time the laws caught up with technology.
“Right now, you can get a ticket only if you are talking on the telephone with the phone up to your ear,” Sheriff Seeley said.
Should the legislature vote at their June meeting to adopt the law, the county would not be the first to do so.
“Similar laws are being passed by other counties around the state,” Legislature Chairman Wayne Speenburgh (R-Coxsackie) said. Albany, Schenectady and Suffolk Counties have all done the same.
In fact, texting while driving has been blamed for two major motor vehicle accidents in recent weeks in other counties, Seeley said.
While the sheriff’s department can’t do anything yet about drivers caught texting while driving, they can issue tickets to those who talk on their cell phones. According to Seeley, a recent crackdown on cell phone use by drivers nabbed 180 violators.
“This is protecting people and saving lives,” Seeley said. “And we have had a very positive response from the community.”
The Public Safety Committee of the legislature unanimously approved the resolution, but before it becomes official the legislature will hold a public hearing. That hearing will be held on June 17 at 6:15 p.m.
In other news, the county is planning on holding another hazardous waste collection day for county residents who want to dispose of items like paint cans, which cannot be thrown away with the rest of their trash or recyclables. Last year, items were collected in two different locations - in Athens and in Ashland. The next collection day - probably in June - will likely be in Athens again, but residents from anywhere in the county can participate.
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green wrote on Jul 16, 2009 5:12 PM:
Im just saying ppl have been talking this in Hunter/Tannersville board meetings since like last October, right?? Lets move it here! /like Coxsackie- Who is first to wake up, smell the crisis & pay it forward here in 'Green'e County /NY "