Friends Don't Let Friends Text and Drive

Starting July 1, you may want to may want to give your fingers a rest if you’re behind the wheel in Onondaga County.

Onondaga County Executive Joanne Mahoney signed a texting-while-driving ban April 20 after County Legislature passed the law. The fine will be $150 for writing, reading or sending a text message.

“The focus when one is operating a motor vehicle should be on driving safely,” Executive Communications Director for the County Executive Lisa Lowery said.

Sarah Bargabos, a senior at Cazenovia High School, says she is completely supportive of the ban. “One of my best friends got into an accident because a girl who was texting ran a red light and hit her. She almost died,” she said.

Onondaga County resident Lisette Brod also agrees that the measure must be taken, especially since two of her four daughters are of driving age.

“Young drivers have a hard enough time paying attention with music, friends and distractions. It’s one thing to be talking on the phone while driving, but a whole other to be trying to hit certain keys for a text message,” Brod said.

Yet some drivers will continue to take the risk.

Onondaga County resident Calvin Morrissey, age 21, agrees that texting while driving is extremely dangerous. “Yet, I feel like I’m capable of texting while driving and will continue to do so,” he said.

The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department will enforce the law, Lowery said.

“We don’t know fully how the law will affect us as a police department,” Lieutenant Joe Cecile said.

Cecile explained said enforcing the law will not put added financial strain on the police department. “It would be enforced like other ordinances,” Cecile said.