With Tougher Penalties for Distracted Driving, a Greater Chance for Safety

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Christina Sonsire

A new New York State law with harsher penalties for texting while driving could help to increase safety on the roads.

A recent front-page article in the Elmira Star-Gazette delivered some excellent news; in fact, the headline says it all: “Tickets for Texting Soar.” Indeed, under a recent law, drivers caught using electronic devices while driving could face a $150 fine and three points on their driver’s licenses.

In the article, Barbara Fiala, commissioner of the state Department of Motor Vehicles, said, “We currently have one of the strongest anti-distracted-driving laws in the country.” Last July, a state law made texting a primary offense, meaning that a police officer could pull someone over if the officer suspected texting behind the wheel. And in a state where more than 570 tickets were issued in Chemung and Steuben County alone for cell phone and texting violations over the past 7 months, taking even greater measures to crack down on distracted driving will, true to Ms. Fiala’s words, help to better ensure our local status as having one of the “strongest”- and safest- “anti-distracted-driving laws in the country.”

As an accident attorney, I could not support this new law more. Cell phones- and the temptation to use them while driving- are a prevalent part of everyday life. This legislation and the penalties it will inflict are a wonderful reminder of just how important it is to drive safely and just how much one can stand to lose by driving distracted (and, as I see on a regular basis, it is a lot more than a $150 fine!).

The article included an especially poignant statistic: according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 5,400 people were killed and almost 450, 000 were injured nationwide in crashes involving distracted-driving in 2009. What these incredible statistics may not portray, however, is the depth of the suffering for those involved. The legislators behind the new texting and driving law made their decision about the specifics for the new law after hearing testimony from local officials and residents, including Jacy Good. Miss Good, of White Plains, lost her parents and the use of one arm in a 2008 Pennsylvania distracted driving crash. She missed her parents’ funeral because she was in a coma.

Please learn from Miss Good’s story. If hearing about the suffering of distracted driving accident victims is not enough, instead take heed from the potential penalties of this new law. It will save lives- and hopefully bring a sense of justice to people like Jacy Good.

Thanks, Christina

_________________________________
Christina Bruner Sonsire, Esq.
NY & PA Injury & Malpractice Lawyer
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William Street
Elmira, New York 14902-1338
csonsire@zifflaw.com
Office: 607.733.8866
Toll-Free: 800.ZIFFLAW (943.3529)
Web:zifflaw.com
Blog: NYInjuryLawBlog.com

NY Attorney Offers Advice on Technology that Helps Keep Teens Safe While Driving

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Christina Sonsire

As an accident attorney, I could not help but laugh when I saw this Close to Home comic. Throughout my daily work, I meet many teenage victims of accident cases, so I understand the importance of not driving distracted. Therefore, while this comic is funny, it also got me thinking: is there a better way for parents to ensure the safety of their teen drivers— without going to the extremes of this mother and her driving gloves?

Recently, I have come to find a surprising source of comfort for the anxiety that having a teenage driver may provoke: technology. Indeed, those same cell phones that can cause so much potential for reckless and distracted driving can also be a powerful tool that can help keep young adults safe and accident-free.

Last November, my colleague Jim Reed wrote a blog post, which can be seen here, praising the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for banning texting while driving. Like Jim, as an accident attorney, I cannot say enough how much I agree with that decision. I am, however, also realistic in realizing that, like so many adults, teens are often glued to their cell phones. Even though there are laws in place banning texting and driving, the temptation is still there. That is why many parents may find a recent USA Today article, entitled “Devices Target Distracted Driving,” interesting; it cites cell phone apps or other forms of technology that can allow parents to stop their teen from texting, surfing the Internet, or even talking on their cell phones while they are driving.

Inspired by the USA Today article, here are three tools that can help keep your teens safe:

1. Cellcontrol- available for $7.95 a month for up to six phones, this in-car port stops drivers from gaming, searching the Internet, and receiving texts and phone calls while driving. You can see a video of how Cellcontrol works here.

2. iZup- a cheaper alternative to Cellcontrol, costing $20 annually, this blocks cell phone use while a car is moving, even disabling it at stop signs and red lights, often taking several minutes to disable after a car stops moving.

3. iCar Black Box App- In the event of an accident, this 99 cent app acts as a black box, recording a video during the accident that you can then access later.

Indeed, today the phase “There’s an app for that” can apply to so many varied topics, including everything from pet first aid to emergency flashlights when it comes to accident scenes. I deal with many families with teens who have been deeply affected by the terrible physical and emotional pain that car accidents can cause, and I can only hope that new technology can help prevent similar trauma in the future.

Even if these tools do not work best for you and your family, I encourage everyone with teenage drivers to stay safe, talk to your kids about their driving habits, and keep up to date with New York State teen driving laws.

No matter how you choose to protect your family while they drive, I hope that everyone stays safe this winter— preferably without having to wear “no-text driving gloves”!

Thanks, Christina

_______________________________
Christina Bruner Sonsire, Esq.
NY & PA Injury & Malpractice Lawyer
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William Street
Elmira, New York 14902-1338
csonsire@zifflaw.com
Office: 607.733.8866
Toll-Free: 800.ZIFFLAW (943.3529)
Web:zifflaw.com
Blog: NYInjuryLawBlog.com

PA To Ban Texting While Driving, Says NY and PA Accident Lawyer

Posted on November 3, 2011 by Jim Reed

Pennsylvania has cracked down on drivers who text, but its ban does not go far enough.

There is more great news this week on the texting while driving front.

Pennsylvania will follow New York’s lead and outlaw the ultra-dangerous texting while driving. As lawyers who handle car accident cases in both PA and NY, we are very pleased to see this change in PA law!

See the story here.

It’s a great but late start. Unfortunately, the legislation does not go far enough! Yes, the new law, to take effect 120 days after Gov. Tom Corbett signs it, does outlaw texting while driving. But the Pennsylvania House, in an indefensible move, will continue to allow distracted driving by allowing drivers to use cell phones without hands-free devices.

In September, I wrote about New York cracking down on drivers who text. New York outlawed talking on cell phones without hands-free devices years ago! The state toughened its texting while driving law in July by increasing penalties, then in September, police agencies targeted violators, sending a message to drivers: Get your eyes back on the road!

The new law in PA makes texting behind the wheel a primary offense (just like NY), so police can pull you over for that violation alone. The penalty is $50. Police, however, will not be able to seize cell phones or other devices.

PA motorists can still talk on cell phones without hands-free devices, despite years of attempts by the PA Senate and some PA House lawmakers to outlaw it, The Associated Press reports. Nine states, including New York, have such bans.

According to AP, the bill that passed the Senate in June banned texting and talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device. But after the House approved the texting ban on Monday, House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, said that his chamber would continue to consider a ban on talking on cell phones.

Can Mr. Turzai explain why they need to CONTINUE to consider the ban on cell phones without hands-free devices? What is the argument?

The AP also said Corbett last week signed into law tougher new regulations for teen drivers, including limits on how many passengers they can carry and more stringent training requirements.

OK, drivers and passengers in Sayre, Towanda and the Twin Tiers: Should PA approve that last piece of legislation and ban all electronic distractions for drivers?

Please add your voice below in the comments section. I want to know what you think!

Thanks, Jim

__________________________________________

James B. Reed
NY & PA Injury & Malpractice Lawyer
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com
Office: (607) 733-8866
Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)
Web: www.zifflaw.com
Blogs: NYInjuryLawBlog.com and
NYBikeAccidentBlog.com

Easy Way To Save 10% On Your Car Insurance, Says NY Accident Attorney

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Jim Reed

An online driving course in New York State offers motorists many benefits.

Online driving courses make sense for all motorists. Successfully completing a course (on your schedule) in New York State will lower your insurance premiums a minimum of 10 percent for three years, may reduce four points on your license (if you have violations) and will refresh your skills.

Like most people, I took the online course to lower my insurance premiums, but I found the course very informative and educational.

Insurance.com says that if you’re between 16 and 25, you can save about 15 percent each year on your auto insurance for taking a defensive driving class, and those over the age of 55 can get a discount of 5 percent.

According to the blog Lifehacker, online courses are about $35, depending on the type of class you have to take, and they usually take four to eight hours. They often give you several weeks to finish the course. Each time you sign in, you’re returned to where you last worked.

The New York Department of Motor Vehicles has a great website about its Point & Insurance Reduction Program. Please check it out.

Also check out the state’s list of approved courses.

Drivers in Elmira, Corning and the Twin Tiers can save some money – and make our roads safer for everyone – by taking an online course. It’s that easy. Save money and save lives. That’s a great combination!

Have you taken an online driving course? What tips do you have for my readers? Did you find the course challenging? Please share your thoughts with your neighbors!

Thanks for reading.

Jim
__________________________________________

At Last! Texting While Driving Tickets Soar in NY, says NY and PA Accident Lawyer

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Jim Reed

If you are caught texting while driving now in New York, you could face much stiffer penalties than in the past.

Police officers are cracking down across New York State on texting motorists, and the number of tickets issued to distracted drivers has soared across the state in recent months.

Have you gotten the message yet and stopped texting while driving?

As you probably know, the Ziff Law Firm has repeatedly encouraged state officials to toughen the law and then urged police to enforce it. You can see what we’ve said here and here and here.

Here are some of the findings reported in a Gannett News Service story this week in the Elmira Star-Gazette on the increase in the number of texting-while-driving tickets issued in New York State:

The number of tickets soared 43 percent through mid-September, compared with all of 2010, an increase from 3,248 tickets in 2010 to 4,634 tickets so far in 2011.
Outside New York City, the number of tickets issued for texting totaled 1,617 in 2010 and 2,777 tickets in 2011 as of Sept. 17, a 72 percent increase.
The number of tickets more than doubled in 33 counties, including in Chemung and Monroe, and more than tripled in other counties downstate.

The big increase comes after Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a new law in July that allows police to pull over drivers specifically for texting. That law took effect on July 12.

The initial law approved in 2009 only made texting a secondary infraction, so police could only ticket a driver if they were pulled over for another offense, such as erratic driving.

Talking on a cell phone while driving is still a more common infraction, according to Gannett. Police across the state have issued 181,400 tickets so far this year after about 332,000 were issued in 2010!

A texting while driving violation will now cost you a fine of up to $150 and three points on your license, which is the same as a speeding ticket. (Remember what THAT last speeding ticket did to your insurance bill?)

Drivers iilegally using a cell phone to talk could be issued a ticket for a traffic infraction and a $150 fine!

See this New York State website for more about the new texting while driving law. Also see this website about the state’s law on drivers using cell phones.

Anyone seeking a license in New York State must now attend a class on the dangers of distracted driving.

In the first full month of the new law, a record 1,082 tickets were issued statewide. The previous record was in April, with 689 tickets, but a special enforcement period in Syracuse drove up the numbers, Gannett reported.

“It’s a great success story,” John Grebert, executive director of the New York Police Chiefs Association, told Gannett.

The number of tickets issued in Chemung County jumped from 15 to 34 since the new law was approved. Chemung County Sheriff Christopher Moss told Gannett that the texting lookouts are now part of distracted driving enforcement funded by the state. And the county also meets with students to talk about the dangers of texting while driving!

Too many young people are not getting the message. Look at other drivers as you drive in Elmira, Corning and the Twin Tiers — too many are still texting and putting us all in danger.

Put down the distraction and DRIVE before you cause an accident that could change your life — and the lives of others — forever.

Please! Let’s be safe on the road. For yourself, for your passengers and others on the road — INCLUDING pedestrians and bicyclists!

Thanks for reading. Please drive safely!

Jim

__________________________________________