FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, July 11, 2011

In April, 2010 Syracuse was one of only two cities in the country to be selected by the U. S. Department of Transportation to conduct a model Distracted Driving Enforcement Project (DDEP) aimed at curbing distracted driving. The Project called, "Phone in One Hand. Ticket in the Other." combined enforcement efforts with increased public awareness through a targeted media campaign. The year-long Project was officially brought to a close today at a press conference in Syracuse that was attended by the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Barbara J. Fiala as well as representatives from local law enforcement. At the press conference Secretary LaHood reported that hand held cell phone use and texting while driving decreased in Syracuse by 32 percent as a result of the DDEP effort.

Similar to other national campaign models, such as "Click it or Ticket," the pilot project was aimed at combating an issue that caused more than 5,500 deaths and more than 440,000 injuries nationwide in 2009. The Syracuse Police Department, New York State Police and the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department were all involved in the Project.

"New York is no stranger to national highway safety models," said Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee and Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Barbara J. Fiala. "The Distracted Driving Enforcement Project was an important step in capturing the public's attention and communicating the message that talking on a cell phone or texting while driving will not be tolerated. We are pleased to have collaborated with the many dedicated partners that helped to make this unique initiative a success."

The initial enforcement wave took place in April, 2010, and was followed by additional waves in July and October of 2010 with the fourth and final wave occurring in April of this year. As a result of the Project more than 9,500 tickets were issued for talking on a cell phone or texting while driving in Syracuse during the four enforcement and education waves.

In New York State, at least one in five crashes has distracted driving listed as a contributing factor. Using a cell phone while driving delays a driver's reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent, the equivalent to driving drunk.

In 2001, New York was first in the nation to adopt a state-wide ban on hand held cell use while driving that also carries a $100 fine. In 2009, a law eliminating the use of portable electronic devices for texting while driving took effect. It carried a $150 fine and had two points attached to it. In February of this year, two points were added to hand held cell phone offenses in order to align the point penalty for both violations.

"This program is a good example of what can be done when agencies pool resources and dedicate time to an important issue," said Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler. "I am proud of law enforcement's effort. We can and will enforce distracted driving laws."

"Distracted driving is dangerous driving," said New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D'Amico. "Last year, in New York State, driver inattention and distraction was the leading contributing factor of motor vehicle crashes. Drivers must be aware of their surroundings and consciously reduce distractions and behaviors that take their attention from the road. Attentive, responsible, defensive driving is the key to avoiding crashes and keeping our highways safe."

"This project allowed us to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving," said Onondaga County Sheriff Kevin E. Walsh. "Even with its success, our work continues in order to improve safety on our roadways."

For more information on distracted driving, please visit www.SafeNY.ny.gov or www.distraction.gov.