Road Rage vs. Aggressive Driving: Is there a difference?

Via MattarMedia - We can all admit to having been in a hurry to get somewhere and we have all been a witness to impatient, reckless drivers. But is speeding an equal offense to tailgating or failure to yield? What exactly is the difference between aggressive driving and road rage?

Most people don't realize the distinction, but aggressive driving is not road rage. The most notable difference is that road rage is a violent, criminal offense, such as using your vehicle as a weapon or physically assaulting another person with your vehicle.

According to the New York State police, an aggressive driver is one who:

"Operates a motor vehicle in a selfish, bold or pushy manner, without regard for the rights or safety of the other users of the streets and highways."

So, what qualifies as aggressive driving then? Here's the list of traffic violations:

* Excessive Speed
* Frequent or Unsafe Lane Changes
* Failure to Signal
* Tailgating
* Failure to Yield the Right of Way
* Disregarding Traffic Controls
* Impaired Driving

These are all moving violations that can result in points on your license and fines.

Moral of the story: Keep your emotions in check and never drive the way you feel.

Police try to Prevent Aggressive Driving

Via MattarMedia - As part of a new campaign, Operation Work Brake, state police will start to target aggressive drivers. Throughout the week, you may see Troopers surveying construction zones and highways.

As reported by Your News Now:

"As we get closer to the 4th of July weekend, State Police will be on the lookout for aggressive drivers along the Thruway. It's called "Operation Work Brake."

From Monday to Friday, state troopers will be out in full force looking for drivers showing erratic behavior along the Thruway and construction zones across the state.

State officials said that with the summer season here, drivers need to do their part by showing caution while on the road."

As always, we encourage you to drive safe and will be posting more information about aggressive driving throughout the week.

Teen ticketed for driving drunk and texting while driving

Via MattarMedia - Generally speaking, multi-tasking is usually considered to be a positive thing. However, when you are driving, it's best to keep your focus on the road.

As reported by News Channel 2:

A Fredonia man was ticketed Saturday after he rolled his vehicle over and it was determined that he was texting and drunk.

Sheriff's deputies responded to a scene of a rollover motor vehicle accident around 2:30 a.m. Saturday. Through further investigation, it was determined that Brandyn Lambe, 19, was texting while driving.

According to the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office, the texting caused him to become distracted which lead to his vehicle going off the road, through a ditch. The vehicle then flipped over several times, landing on its wheels in the opposite lane.

Once Police got to Lambe and treated him for his minor injuries, it was discovered that he was also intoxicated.

Please drink responsibly and don't text and drive.

State Troopers are trying to keep drunk drivers off the roads

Via MattarMedia - New York State Troopers are making a statement against drinking and driving. DWI checkpoints, like the one seen in this video, will be seen often throughout Western New York this summer.

Trooper Joe DiMaria said:
"We'll be conducting these road checks throughout the season, and hopefully people are getting the message. This way, things will pay off and we'll save some lives."

Driving while intoxicated endangers everybody on the roads. If you plan on drinking, have a designated driver to get you home safely.

What not to do on a Motorcycle...

Via MattarMedia - In honor of Motorcycle Safety Month, we have been blogging about different topics aimed at keeping you safe and informed about motorcycle riding. So when we saw this news article in our feed this morning, we had to bring it to you as What Not to Do on a motorcycle.

As reported by an Albany, NY news source:

An Esperance man on his motorcycle led police on a high-speed chase late Friday night, running red lights, sideswiping a car and went flying after hitting a parked car, police said.

Morgan Henness, 21, was charged with DWI, Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer, Reckless Driving and several other traffic violations, police said.

Henness was riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle on Madison Avenue when he ran through a red light at Madison Avenue and Quail Street, police said. A patrol officer witnessed it and tried to pull Henness over near the entrance to Washington Park at Madison Avenue and New Scotland.

Police say Henness actually accelerated, sideswiping another vehicle that was traveling in the same direction on Madison Avenue. Henness ran through the red light at Willet Street then lost control of his motorcycle and hit a parked car at Madison and Delaware Avenues, police said.

Henness was thrown from the bike and sustained injuries from the accident. He was taken to Albany Medical Center for treatment. His condition is unknown at this time but his injuries were not life threatening, police said.

Hmm....wonder what he did wrong?  Where do we begin?!  Let's see....there's the drinking and riding, evading the police, hitting other vehicles, and being ejected from the motorcycle, just for a few starters.  We sincerely recommend not taking a page from Mr. Henness' book, and do not encourage this type of riding. 

You don't have to be driving a car to get a DWI

Via MattarMedia - Most people would agree that drinking and then driving a motor vehicle is a poor choice. We have laws against it for a reason. What seems to be less clear is "what exactly constitutes a motor vehicle"?

New York state Vehicle & Traffic Law defines a motor vehicle as "every vehicle operated or driven which is propelled by any power other than muscular power". Obviously, this encompasses automobiles, trucks and motorcycles, but would also extend to include powered vehicles like go karts, golf carts and snowmobiles (among many others).

What does this mean in regards to DWI laws? It means that operating any motorized vehicle while impaired can result in a DWI. As reported by WIVB:

Police charged a Lewiston man with DWI who they say was driving drunk on a go-kart.

22-year-old Ronald Voight was arrested Sunday morning on Village Street. 24-year-old John Burnett was also charged with DWI after police say he nearly hit the go-kart and patrol car alongside the road.

Now that the warm weather is (almost) here, use caution on all of your utility vehicles and please drink responsibly.

Investigators Believe Texting Contributed to Fatal Crash

Via MattarMedia - The Livingston County Sheriff's Department believes a SUNY Geneseo student killed in a one car crash in Leicester early Tuesday morning may have been texting at the time of the crash.

The sheriff's department identified the victim as Mary Kavanaugh, 22, of Sanborn, Niagara County.

Investigators believe Kavanaugh may have been text messaging, which contributed to her drifting off the roadway and causing the vehicle to roll.

SUNY Geneseo officials notified the campus Tuesday of Kavanaugh's death through an e-mail from the dean of students.

Many of Mary’s friends and co-workers at The Statesmen bar, where the owner said Kavanaugh was an employee, were upset about the news. Some of them told YNN she was the type of person who would give you the shirt off her back.

Some students say they are still shocked about her death, especially with graduation weeks away.

"You hear things like this on the news and you don't really think twice about it sometimes but when it's someone from your community and from the school you go to it definitely hits home a little more," said Holly Judge, SUNY Geneseo student.

"I'm a senior too and we were all going to graduate in May, so it's really sad to hear that she died," said Kristelle Cadeno, SUNY Geneseo student.

The school said Kavanaugh was a 2006 graduate of Starpoint High School in Lockport and was a senior communications major at Geneseo.

Drunk Man Intentionally Drives Car into Firehouse

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO, N.Y. - Buffalo Police say a drunk driver intentionally rammed his vehicle into a fire station.

28-year-old Colin Billingsley faces several charges including DWI and aggravated criminal contempt. Investigators say a female passenger suffered non-life threatening injuries when he drove into the the firehouse at Jefferson and Kingsley around 11:30 Sunday night.

Cop Responding to City Shooting Flips Car in 4-Car Crash

Via MattarMedia - A Rochester police officer is recovering Wednesday after flipping his cruiser in a 4 car crash.

He was responding to a shooting on Grace Street just before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. When he crossed through the intersection of Portland Ave and Draper Street, a car smashed into the cruiser. That sent the cruiser spinning and it hit a third car and flipped over. A fourth car was hit. All four cars were damaged.

The officer was taken to Strong Hospital for back pain. The other three drivers were taken to Rochester General Hospital. All are expected to be okay.

Drunk driver slams into school bus

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO, N.Y. - Buffalo Police say a drunk driver slammed into a school bus at East Ferry and Stevens Avenue.

Three people were injured. No children were on the bus. The accused driver's name has not been released.

Dispute Between Drivers Ends in Car Crash

Via MattarMedia - Rochester police say a dispute between two drivers ended when one of the vehicles flipped over.

Officers responded to a crash at Remington Street and Avenue A shortly after noon Sunday.

Police said the drivers were involved in some sort of fight when one of the drivers swerved at the other, causing the car to hit a curb and flip over.

A young child, who was in the car that flipped, was taken to Strong Hospital as a precaution; the child was checked out and is fine.

Police are still determining if charges will be filed.

NYPD crackdown on drivers on phones nets 3,700

Via MattarMedia NEW YORK CITY - Police have sent a message to more than 3,700 drivers they say were talking or texting behind the wheel in New York City: Hang up.

The New York Police Department issued 3,753 summonses for using hand-held cell phones while driving during the first 18 hours of a daylong crackdown Thursday. Each ticket carries a fine of up to $150.

The department says it issued an average of 617 summonses a day last year for cell-phone offenses.

Cop Car Flipped After Chase Involving Alleged Drugged Driver

Via MattarMedia - In Warren County, a sheriff's deputy escapes serious injury after his vehicle flips over after a chase with an alleged drugged driver. Tonight, that driver faces multiple charges including felony DWAI. Police say you should be just as concerned about drugged drivers as drunk drivers out on the road.

The windshield and headlight are smashed, the roof is dented after a Warren County Sheriff's vehicle flipped after a chase with an alleged drugged driver. Police say 38-year-old Brett Johnson had been drinking and smoking pot and led them on that chase. Police say lately, they have seen an increase in drugged drivers. Warren County Sheriff Bud York says, "we are seeing more prescription pills. A lot of people borrowing, stealing them and taking them and driving."

Another driver was allegedly under the influence of drugs and charged with DWAI in a Colonie crash just last weekend. That crash was fatal, killing another driver. Lynda Rose, the Clinical Supervisor for Outpatient Treatment at the Addiction Care Center of Albany says, "its a misfortune to the community that they are out there and that's why we are here."

At the Addiction Care Center of Albany, they're seeing a larger number of drug addicted patients. They say a drugged driver is just as dangerous as a drunk driver.
Rose says, "could be heightened awareness, lowered awareness, going into a seizure, convulsion. Depends on what they are on and how they are taking it and how often."

Johnson faces multiple charges in both Glens Falls where the chase began at a traffic stop, and with the Warren County Sheriff's Department. Those charges include Felony DWAI, resisting arrest, Reckless Endangerment, and unlawfully fleeing a police officer. Police say this isn't Johnson's first offense, but think it should be the last time he is behind the wheel.

Sheriff York says, "its a privilege to drive not a right. And if you're going to drink or do drugs and drive, you could hurt someone. You shouldn't be driving."

Truck pulled from Seneca River, driver not found

Via MattarMedia Baldwinsville (WSYR-TV) - A pick-up truck was pulled from the Seneca River, near Paper Mill Island, Baldwinsville this morning. The truck ended up in the river after a police pursuit. The driver of the truck was not in the truck.

Onondaga County dive teams were called to the scene around 2:00 Monday morning. A tow truck removed the pick-up truck from the Seneca River around 3:30am.

Investigators have left the scene and say they will return at 10 am.

Truck Crashes into House After High-Speed Chase

Via MattarMedia - A truck almost hit a woman before plowing into her house in Batavia, Genesee County, Monday afternoon.

A Genesee County investigator said the truck wouldn't stop after deputies tried to pull him over for speeding. After using a spike strip on the suspect's vehicle it swerved onto South Main Street.

"Then, all of a sudden, I saw the pickup come. It was just erratic. Like it was just going straight for, I saw it go straight for my house. Like, I had to move out of the way basically because I was standing right there. Cause I stand right there where that curb is to wait for my daughter, to wait for my daughter to come home from school," said Luz Castro of Batavia.

"Life is a matter of seconds and inches you know? And luckily, her child wasn't here getting off the bus at that moment," said Investigator Chris Kautz, Genesee County Sheriff's Department.

The driver of the truck, Louis Reeb, 19, of Corfu, was airlifted to Strong Hospital, where he is listed in guarded condition. There is no word yet on what charges Reeb may face.

Police Chase Ends In Fatal Crash

Via MattarMedia - New details on that police pursuit that ended in a head on fatal crash in Columbia County Friday night.

Police say the suspect, who died in that crash, was 44-year-old David Carman of Dover Plains, New York.

Police say Carman took off from a traffic stop in Dutchess County in the Village of Red Hook, taking police on a chase through two counties before hitting a dump truck head on in the Town of Claverack in Columbia County.

The driver of the dump truck was not injured. Police later said the car Carman was driving was stolen.

WNY man dies in car crash as police pull him over

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO - A 57-year-old man died when he crashed into a utility pole as police tried to pull him over in Buffalo.

Buffalo Police say officers started following the car driven by Richard Bedell of North Tonawanda around 2:15 a.m. Monday. After several blocks, the car smashed into a utility pole.

Police spokesman Michael DeGeorge said it wasn't a chase.

Patrol car involved in overnight crash

Via MattarMedia - Emergency crews rushed to the scene of an overnight accident, involving a police patrol car.

The accident happened at about 2 a.m. Friday, on Kensington Avenue near Deerfield.

A patrol car slammed into a utility pole.

There is no word on if the officer driving the car was hurt.

Webster Police Cruiser Hit; Driver Charged With DWI

Via MattarMedia - Webster Police charged a man with driving drunk after he hit a parked police cruiser late Thursday night.

It happened on Empire Boulevard around 11:30 p.m.

Police said an officer saw a man walking eastbound on Empire Boulevard too close to the shoulder of the road. When the officer got out of his car to approach the man, a car headed westbound on Empire crashed into the officer's vehicle.

"Our patrol car did have the emergency lights on and unfortunately with people who are drinking and driving they are a danger to everyone on the road," said Webster Police Sergeant Carl Adriaansen.

The officer and the man walking down the road were not hurt.

A female passenger in the other driver's suffered minor injuries and was taken to Strong Hospital for treatment.

Police sergeant involved in crash

Via MattarMedia UTICA - A Utica police sergeant and the driver of another vehicle were injured Monday during a crash at the intersection of James and Kemble streets, Utica police said.

At about 4:40 p.m., Sgt. Donald Cinque was on his way to join a pursuit of another vehicle when the crash occurred, police said.

Details of the injuries, which were not life threatening, were not available Monday evening. The name of the other driver also was not available.

No tickets were issued, and an investigation is pending.

A police dog named Rock, who was traveling with Cinque was treated by a vet immediately and appears fine, police said.

Police declined to give details on the pursuit Cinque was headed to.