AUBURN - Texting while driving may soon be banned in Cayuga County.
The Cayuga County Legislature Ways and Means Committee voted unanimously Tuesday night to fix a day and notice of public hearing on a proposed local law prohibiting text messaging while driving within county borders.
Those caught breaking the law would be fined up to $150 for each violation. It would go into effect 60 days after it becomes law.
The law was approved by the Judicial and Public Safety Committee of the county Legislature on June 9. Now that Ways and Means members have agreed to fix a date for the public hearing, the full Legislature will consider the measure at its meeting on June 23.
“This I've been pushing for a long time,” Raymond Lockwood, Judicial and Public Safety Committee Chair, said.
A public hearing concerning the proposed local law is expected to be held on July 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the County Office Building, 160 Genesee St., Auburn, if the Legislature moves forward on it next week.
The law would be enforced by the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office, New York State Police and sworn officers of police departments in cities, towns and villages throughout the entire county.
“I believe this should be a state law,” Cayuga County Sheriff David Gould said. “Now each county has to do it on its own.”
The state Legislature has failed to enact a statewide text messaging ban, even though several years ago it passed a law against talking on cell phones while driving. Currently, a measure to deal with text messaging has been stuck in the state Assembly.
Gould admitted it would be a tough law to enforce, but he said it's somewhat easier to enforce than the cell phone law. He acknowledged lack of manpower and resources, especially since such violations have to be visually detected and can be difficult to prove.
“It's next to impossible,” he said, “but we're here to uphold the law. I'm glad this county's moving forward, and we will enforce it to our best ability.
The local law seeks to prevent text messaging as a safety measure. It exempts operators of authorized emergency vehicles while on duty and does not apply to text messages composed via voice recognition technology
The measure comes on the heels of similar legislation passed on April 7 in Onondaga County. Other counties with such laws on the books include Monroe, Ontario, Rockland, Schuyler and Westchester. Otsego and Broome counties both are in the process of establishing a law.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
Those caught breaking the law would be fined up to $150 for each violation. It would go into effect 60 days after it becomes law.
The law was approved by the Judicial and Public Safety Committee of the county Legislature on June 9. Now that Ways and Means members have agreed to fix a date for the public hearing, the full Legislature will consider the measure at its meeting on June 23.
“This I've been pushing for a long time,” Raymond Lockwood, Judicial and Public Safety Committee Chair, said.
A public hearing concerning the proposed local law is expected to be held on July 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the County Office Building, 160 Genesee St., Auburn, if the Legislature moves forward on it next week.
The law would be enforced by the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office, New York State Police and sworn officers of police departments in cities, towns and villages throughout the entire county.
“I believe this should be a state law,” Cayuga County Sheriff David Gould said. “Now each county has to do it on its own.”
The state Legislature has failed to enact a statewide text messaging ban, even though several years ago it passed a law against talking on cell phones while driving. Currently, a measure to deal with text messaging has been stuck in the state Assembly.
Gould admitted it would be a tough law to enforce, but he said it's somewhat easier to enforce than the cell phone law. He acknowledged lack of manpower and resources, especially since such violations have to be visually detected and can be difficult to prove.
“It's next to impossible,” he said, “but we're here to uphold the law. I'm glad this county's moving forward, and we will enforce it to our best ability.
The local law seeks to prevent text messaging as a safety measure. It exempts operators of authorized emergency vehicles while on duty and does not apply to text messages composed via voice recognition technology
The measure comes on the heels of similar legislation passed on April 7 in Onondaga County. Other counties with such laws on the books include Monroe, Ontario, Rockland, Schuyler and Westchester. Otsego and Broome counties both are in the process of establishing a law.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
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Post your comment - click hereThere are 16 comment(s)
auburn~no~class wrote on Jun 17, 2009 10:36 PM:
FS II wrote on Jun 17, 2009 7:52 PM:
bad176 wrote on Jun 17, 2009 7:35 PM:
movedsouth wrote on Jun 17, 2009 6:58 PM:
I would say that the law covers texting. It does not specify talking on it. "
ruforreal wrote on Jun 17, 2009 1:52 PM:
gman wrote on Jun 17, 2009 1:04 PM:
MAGGIE5661 wrote on Jun 17, 2009 12:15 PM:
auburn~no~class wrote on Jun 17, 2009 10:42 AM:
Voice of Auburn wrote on Jun 17, 2009 10:28 AM:
GMAN wrote on Jun 17, 2009 10:21 AM:
SHUT UP AND DRIVE!!! "
maggie5661 wrote on Jun 17, 2009 9:12 AM:
thinksensibly wrote on Jun 17, 2009 9:03 AM:
taxpayer666 wrote on Jun 17, 2009 7:36 AM:
Farmer's Gal wrote on Jun 17, 2009 7:30 AM:
blueyankee443 wrote on Jun 17, 2009 2:56 AM:
reasons why not have one.This country is governed by,Non-Sense Laws.Sure anot
her money maker ,going into the books.
LockWood,and Gould,and a few others on
the BandWagon for riches.There is no E
vil,only victims.Victims of chance,and
its by chance they are caught.Of course
you have the good people at the drive
throughs to call into the police,of a
text messenger driving a car.Its okay
for the Police to do it,so what makes
them more professional at driving cars
and doing multi-functioning and avoiding accidents.I dont believe this
is possible. "
rdj1954 wrote on Jun 17, 2009 2:04 AM: