Drop the Cellphone and Step Out of the Car - City Room Blog ...

by By AG Sulzberger

The New York City Police Department is warning drivers that it will begin a 24-hour citywide effort to fine drivers using hand-held cellphones. The crackdown, which begins at midnight Thursday and was announced in a news release Tuesday, was described as part of a push to focus on road safety. The fine for using a hand-held cellphone while driving is $130.

The Police Department issued an average of 536 summonses a day to drivers using hand-held cellphones in 2008, according to the news release. During a similar crackdown in August, the Police Department issued 7,432 summonses in a single day. “The N.Y.P.D. encourages safe driving and asks the public to use seat belts and to use a hands-free device for car phones,” the release said.

OK, the reason we announced this is…..

so everyone can skip using their phone that day and get back on it the next?

Why would the police announce a crackdown like this? Just do it and have a ticket blitz. The city will make a ton of money and hopefully these cellular idiots will think twice before cruising the highway at 40 MPH while chatting away. I’m sick of my life being jeopardized by these morons.

I live in a town of less than 10,000 in Texas. I walk about 5 miles a day. I would estimate that no less than 60 percent of the drivers I see on the steets and at intersections are on cell phones. That is 60 percent too many. Driving with one arm and being distracted is a formula for disaster. Then there is the driver I saw the other day on the phone and eating a burger. Who was steering the car?

Speaking as an EMT, I can tell you that EMS, Fire and Police personnel use their cellphones to contact their respective commands to ensure privacy (yes, your privacy) and to prevent sensitive information from being broadcasted over the air. Ex. When your wife is found otionally disturbed at your home. You wouldn’t want us discussing it (name and address) over the air would you?

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