Text messaging while driving ban goes state-wide

Recently, Governor David Paterson signed into law a state text messaging while driving ban. Dozens of upstate counties followed Schenectady County's lead and adopted county bans which led to the state law. The need for this important public safety measure has been supported by a report released by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI). The study showed that text messaging on a cell phone has the highest crash risk of all cell phone related tasks, with the risk of a crash or near crash 23.2 times higher while text messaging as compared to non-distracted driving.

Susan Savage, Chairwoman of the Schenectady County Legislature and sponsor of the County’s Text Messaging While Driving Ban said, “My goal has been to raise awareness to this dangerous and deadly behavior. With increased awareness, I hope that drivers will understand the dangers of text messaging while driving and will instead pull over or wait until they reach their destination before sending a text message.”

Nationally, Senator Charles Schumer is leading the fight to make this a federal law.