Stupid Driver! ~ Get off the phone and focus on the road!

Uh Oh ....Hold On, I See A Cop Up Ahead! I hear this phrase all too often. Don't worry, it's not that I am associated with hardened criminals who are running from the law. But, since 2001 talking on a cell phone while driving in NY is illegal. New York became the first state to prohibit drivers from talking on hand-held devices while operating a motor vehicle.

I admit, it's a good law - I, myself have been distracted while talking on the phone before. I've had my share of near misses before the law went into effect. As a real estate agent, my car is my rolling office. I try my hardest not to talk on the phone but there's always the call I was expecting from a busy attorney who was to get back to me between closings or court sessions. There are times when I need to call my client to let them know I might be running late due to traffic. And, after playing phone tag with somebody all day long I hate missing the opportunity to connect when their number finally pops up. But, this is the law - and one I respect. And, it now makes me furious when I see other drivers talking on phones while driving erratically or simply not paying attention to the road and traffic signals. It's my life they are endangering! It's a law that everybody should respect. And, if I had to get in the habit of refraining, so should everybody else. It doesn't take much effort to switch my phone to speaker (I hate the headset). See, the law only refers to "hand- held devices."

I am afraid the fine is a slap on the wrist for some people. If you use a hand-held mobile telephone in NY while you drive, except to call 911 or to contact medical, fire or police personnel about an emergency, you can receive a traffic ticket and pay a maximum fine of $100 and mandatory surcharges of $60.

And, this is why so many New Yorkers are still talking on their phones when they are driving? To all those drivers who ignore the cell phone law: You can't hide...it's obvious to everybbody who can see you that you are on a phone. Of course, the first sign ususally, is that you're driving erratically and holding up traffic. HEY STUPID! GET OFF THE PHONE AND FOCUS ON DRIVING!