Syracuse, NY – Syracuse Police and the Onondaga County Sheriff’s department are teaming up for the third phase or a four part initative penalizing distracted drivers. Syracuse is one of two cities across the United States to have received a federal grant as a test city for implementing a national plan to ban cell phone use while driving.
In the first phase conducted back in April 2,185 tickets were issued to distracted drivers including 115 for texting violations. Back in July, an additional 1,987 tickets were given out with 169 due to texting. Fines for distracted driving are upwards of $150 per violation with a zero tolerance policy.
Sergeant Gary Bulinski of the Syracuse Police department is optimistic that drivers are slowly realizing the dangers of distracted driving. “People are catching on. They realize it’s a serious issue and with the added enforcement, there’s a better chance of getting caught.”
Distracted driving laws cause more accidents?
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, states that have implemented their own laws concerning distracted driving have actually seen increases in the amount of accident caused by distracted drivers.
Texting Crackdown from Newhouse BDJ on Vimeo.
One of the main theories associated with these findings is the fact that rather than stopping to text, people are making a greater effort to hide their phones while driving taking their eyes off of the road for a longer period of time.
“I think that’s way more dangerous,” said Syracuse University grad student Maren Guse. “I like to do it where I can look up and look back if I’m typing something longer.”
“They’re trying to get around the law and basically what happens is you’re just rolling the dice,” added Sergeant Bulinski. “You might get away with it for a while but at some point that type of behavior is going to catch up with you and you will be involved in a crash.”
According to the American Automobile Assocation Foundation for Traffic Safety, 62% of people surveyed feel that distracted drivers pose a serious threat to them while on the road. However, 70% admitted to using a cell phone while driving.
“I think if you’re drunk you’re distracted from driving,” said SU General Counsel Tom Evans. “You don’t have all of your abilities focused on the road. I think if you’re texting and doing those types of things, you have a similar problem.”
The Public Reacts
“Usually I’m at a stop sign or a red light,” admitted Guse. “Sometimes if there is limited traffic. I try not to do it in a busy area. I try to look out for my safety but I can’t say I haven’t done it.”
“I’m honestly very, very, very opposed,” said Syracuse Senior Jake Kolb. “Even if a girl wants me to like text them on a long road trip or anything and I’ll just be like honestly if you crashed while I was texting you I would never be able to forgive myself. My Mom would kill me if she knew I did it.”
While waiting at the local bus stop Dan Sheridan added, “It’s too dangerous! I mean how many times do you see somebody, you know, they’re not paying attention. They’re on the phone. They’re on the texting. Oh yeah, I think it’s very important.”
“Well they (Syracuse Police) definitely need to concentrate on a lot of things but that is a real issue that people need to not do that,” said Shanah Williams. “I’ve seen a couple accidents happen or almost happen so yeah, I think that they should be concentrating on it.”
Syracuse University Junior Sara Nack added, “It is an issue. Safety is an issue. Having been in an accident with someone who was on their cell phone, I feel strongly about it.”
What’s to come?
The current initiative by police will run through Sunday, October 17th. A fourth and final phase is planned for sometime in early 2011.
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