New state law changes rules for teen drivers

Via MattarMedia SYRACUSE, N.Y. - There's a reason they call it "sweet 16." As you step closer to adulthood, part of that independence means getting behind the wheel, but it's about to get much harder for teens to cruise off once they blow out those birthday candles.


New York is putting a brake on that urge with a new law that kicks in on Monday. There's now a six month waiting period to take a road test if you're applying for a learner's permit. Teens must also log 50 hours of supervised driving.

"The majority of fatalities in teen crashes are those other than the teens so this is not just geared toward teen driver safety. It will be a benefit to all drivers and roadway users as a whole,” said Diana Dibble, AAA Public Affairs Manager.

New York already has a graduated driver's license system in place, which includes a mandatory defensive driving course, but many felt it could be better.

"Maybe with some longer driving sessions, with family and things of that nature and driving schools, they will see how dangerous it can be if they're trying to text and things of that nature where if a person gets their license right away, they may still be fairly uninformed,” said Jeffrey Baird, Able II Driving President.

In addition to requiring more experience, this new law is specifically looking to eliminate that kind of distracted driving. All electronics are banned and teens can now have only one non-family member with them in the car. Though this last point may be the most dreaded, this group of young drivers admit it may be necessary.

"I'll probably be left out in the cold because I've been bumming rides off my friends for a while and I'm sure they'll be happy to get rid of me,” said Paul O'Donnell, learner's permit driver.

"When you get a group of three or four teenagers in a car at a time, there's a lot of conversation and gossip going on I guess and it can be distracting definitely,” said Erin Callahan, learner's permit driver.

Other states that have implemented similar laws have seen a reduction in fatal crashes in 38%.

Most Drivers Say They're King of the Road

Via MattarMedia - How do you rate yourself behind the wheel of a car? If you're like most drivers, you think think your skills are far better than others on the road. That's the finding of a new survey by psychologists at Ottawa University.

The superior rating may be good for the ego but could also mean big trouble for some drivers, particularly young men. Researchers say since many people overrate their driving abilities, it can make them less cautious and lead to more accidents.

In a breakdown of the data, all drivers --- men, women, young and old --- gave themselves a grade higher than that of the average motorist. Drivers aged 65 and older say they were far superior in a comparison with motorists in their same age group. Middle-aged men said they were better than other drivers their age and far better than younger and older drivers.

The results of the new survey are published in the journal "Accident Analysis and Prevention."

New Fedaral Law Bans Texting By Bus, Truck Drivers

Via MattarMedia Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) - The government has prohibited the operation of hand-held texting devices by drives of commercial trucks and buses. The ban is effective immediately and violators may be subject to civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,750.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said in a statement, "We want the drivers of big rigs and buses and those who share the roads with them to be safe." He added, "This is an important safety step, and we will be taking more to eliminate the threat of distracted driving."

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has found that drivers take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds out of every six seconds while texting. Researchers also say drivers who text are at least 20 times more likely to get in an accident than non-distracted drivers.

Nineteen states, plus the District of Columbia and Guam, have passed laws that ban texting while driving. Six states, plus the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands, prohibit drivers from using hand-held devices while operating a vehicle.

Lawmakers nationwide are rapidly trying to catch up with recent advances the $1.4 trillion-U.S. telecommunications industry is making in cellular technology.

Officials say the likelihood of an accident as a result of a driver who is distracted due to texting is even higher than driving under the influence.

Proponents of the new laws say distracted drivers account for thousands of deaths and injuries across the country every year and property damage into the millions.

Sheriff uses Santa to discourage DWIs

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Erie County Sheriff has recruited a deputy in a red suit to discourage drivers from drinking before taking the wheel.

Sheriff Tim Howard revealed a billboard that reads, "Santa is coming to town -- Please Don't Hit Him -- Don't Drink and Drive."

The sheriff wants to encourage people who have been drinking to let someone else "take the reins."

"Driving while intoxicated, the results that could follow, tear lives apart, and irreversible and you could spend the rest of your life, regretting that," said Sgt. Scott Joslyn of the Erie County Sheriff's Office.

And don't forget: Liberty and Yellow Cab of Buffalo will offer free rides this New Year's Eve.

Tougher state DWI laws take effect Friday

Via MattarMedia ALBANY — Tougher laws on drunken drivers who have a child in the car take effect Friday.

The new law, known as Leandra's Law, makes it a felony to drive with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08 and have a passenger in the car younger than 16. A first offense carries a potential prison sentence of up to four years; up to 15 years if a child passenger is seriously injured; and up to 25 years if a child is killed.

The law was adopted by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. David Paterson last month after Leandra Rosado, 11, died in a drunken-driving accident in October in New York City.

The law also requires drivers charged with drunken driving with a child in the car to surrender their licenses pending prosecution. And if convicted, an ignition-interlock system must be installed in the car for at least six months. On Aug. 15, the law will expand to require the system for any driver convicted of misdemeanor or felony DWI.

The interlock system costs about $100 to install and $3 a day to operate. The offender will be required to pay for it.

In 2008, there were 9,202 alcohol-related crashes in New York, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles. In those crashes, 488 children under the age of 18 were injured or killed.

New DWI Law: Ignition interlock device to take effect in Summer

Via MattarMedia (WKTV) - On Wednesday, lawmakers passed some of the strictest DWI laws in the country.

One of those laws forces those who are convicted of DWI to install an ignition interlock device into their vehicle.

What is it, and what are the costs?

Ignition interlock is a device you must blow into before you start your vehicle. Soon, anyone in New York State who gets a DWI may have to put one in their vehicle. This means they will have to blow into the interlock device first - and if they have a .02 or less BAC, then their vehicle will start.

There is a whole website devoted to the ignition interlock device for those who need one. That's because if your forced to have one, you're on your own to make sure to get one. And soon, people convicted of DWI in New York State will have too.

The law states that anyone who needs the device will have to pay for it themselves. There is an initial fee for the device - a fee to have it installed and then a fee of around $60 per month to have it in your vehicle.

In order for your car to start, you must blow into the device. If your blood alcohol content is .02 or less the car will start.

Law enforcement officials said .02 is generally what is in mouthwash or medicines.

Once the car is started however, the driver must continue to blow into the device every few minutes while driving - the intention is to avoid having someone else start a vehicle.

Part of those new New York State DWI laws will take affect in 30 days - if you have a child in the vehicle while you're drinking and driving, stiffer penalties will soon be imposed.

However, this new ignition interlock program wont take affect for another 9 months.

Senate, Assembly agree on new DWI law

Via MattarMedia ALBANY - New York's Senate and Assembly leaders say they've agreed on toughening state law to make driving drunk with a child in the vehicle a felony.

The deal will also require offenders to have devices installed that will keep their engine from starting if their breath shows they're drunk.

The agreement on what will be called "Leandra's Law" comes after the Assembly said it would pass the same version of the bill that the Senate has pushed.

The bill is named for 11-year-old Leandra Rosado, who was killed when a station wagon full of children driven by a mother since accused of drunken driving crashed in Manhattan on Oct. 11. They were heading to a sleepover.

Lenny Rosado, Leandra's father, calls Tuesday a glorious and victorious day.