Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - It appears New York roads are no safer than those in states that don't ban use of hand held cell phones. A new Highway Loss Data Institute study finds no reductions in crashes after these laws take effect.
According to the study it’s not just New York. Other states that’ve enacted cell phone laws have also seen little change in the number of crashes.
Police say it's not hard to spot people on cell phones while driving, but is hard to devote enough manpower and hours for enforcement to increase compliance. "I have people wave to me, they're on the phone, they stop with you, they're in traffic and they'll actually look over and wave to you totally not thinking that you're gonna stop them,” said Sgt. Joel Cardone of the Syracuse Police Department.
Since the law went on the books back in 2001 its not even just cell phones anymore, its also other distractions that can take people's minds and their eyes off the road. “I just generally feel you can't outlaw every single type of activity, it's better to outlaw reckless driving,” said State Senator John DeFrancisco.
The institute wants to figure out is why, if crash risk increases with phone use, they're not seeing a decrease in crashes after phone use is banned.
It may not be the actual phone but the distraction of the conversation, hand held or not.
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