Syracuse, NY -- Syracuse will launch its second crackdown Thursday on texting and phoning while driving as part of a federal initiative to reduce distracted driving. About 40 Syracuse police officers will be joined by state troopers and Onondaga County Sheriff’s deputies during the 10-day operation, said Syracuse Police Sgt. Joel Cordone. Cordone said he expects the most tickets...
Law enforcement targets cell phone use while driving. Onondaga Co. Sheriff's Deputy Mike Hoosock uses the computer in his patrol car as he issues a ticket to a driver for cell phone use on Grant Blvd. near the intersection of Teall Ave. during the April crackdown.Syracuse, NY -- Syracuse will launch its second crackdown Thursday on texting and phoning while driving as part of a federal initiative to reduce distracted driving.
About 40 Syracuse police officers will be joined by state troopers and Onondaga County Sheriff’s deputies during the 10-day operation, said Syracuse Police Sgt. Joel Cordone.
Cordone said he expects the most tickets will be written between 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the major arteries. The effort is the second of four blitzes aimed at distracted drivers. The first one, in April, netted 2,185 tickets for people using a hand-held cell phone while driving and 115 for texting while driving. Two more campaigns will happen Oct. 7 to 16 and April 7 to 16, 2011.
The gist of the law itself seems very simple: “Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person shall operate a motor vehicle while using any portable electronic device while such vehicle is in motion.”
But some situations aren’t so straightforward. Officers often have some discretion on whether to issue a ticket in certain cases. State police Lt. Glenn Miner answered questions about the law.
Can you text or use a cell phone at a red light?
The law reads that you can’t text while you’re in motion. If you’re at a red light and stopped, or at a stop sign, and stopped, you’re not in motion.
Can you hold a cell phone while driving?
The law states that anyone who holds a portable device in plain view while driving is presumed to be using such device, and it’s up to the driver to show evidence to rebut the charge. The law’s very broad, and it will be at the discretion of the officers, and common sense.
Under what conditions can you pull over to talk or text?
Anywhere where it’s legal and safe to pull over. It’s illegal to pull over on interstate highways. That’s probably as big of a hazard as any. As long as it’s a safe area and there’s enough room, then sure. The fact you’re talking on a cell phone or texting is actually irrelevant.
Is anyone exempt?
Emergency responders, as defined in vehicle and traffic law, including police officers, firefighters and those operating emergency vehicles.
Are there exceptions for individuals?
Any person talking to an emergency response operator, including 911. During emergencies, the law also allows drivers to call hospitals, physician’s offices or health clinics, ambulance companies and fire or police departments.
Can you drive and use laptops, GPS devices or other electronics?
The law prohibits use of “portable electronic devices,” including hand-held mobile phones, personal digital assistants, handheld devices with data access, laptop computers, pagers, broadband personal communication devices, two-way messaging devices, electronic games or portable computing devices.
Can drivers use devices in their laps, on the seat next to them or on the dashboard?
The law says you can’t “hold” an electronic device while driving. If you have a laptop on the seat next to you, a good defense attorney might say you’re not holding it. But I wouldn’t want to be the one trying to explain that to a judge. The law isn’t really clear on that. It’s going to be up to a judge or prosecutor on how they want to handle that.
Contact Douglass Dowty at ddowty@syracuse.com or 470-6070.