Press Release
The Geneseo Police Department would like to remind motorists of the State’s cell phone and texting laws.
Cell phones: New YorkState was the first state in the nation to pass a ban on cell phone use when article 1225-c of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law became effective in 2001. Essentially, this law prohibits the driver of any motor vehicle from using a hand-held cell phone while the vehicle is in motion. However, the use of a hands-free cell phone is allowed. Exceptions to the law include:
· For the sole purpose of communicating in an emergency situation, such as calling 911 with an emergency.
· Police officers, fire department personnel, and the operators of an authorized emergency vehicle while in the performance of their official duties.
However, studies have shown that it is the phone conversation itself that is most distracting rather than the act of holding it to one’s ear. Therefore, even though it is legal to drive and talk on a hands-free phone, it is strongly advisable to pull over to the side of the road and stop, and then carry on your conversation.
Texting: In New York, article 1225-d became effective on November 1, 2009, and effectively banned the use of portable electronic devices while operating a moving vehicle. A “portable electronic device” is defined as a hand-held mobile telephone, personal digital assistant, handheld device with mobile data access, laptop computer, pager, broadband personal communication device, two-way messaging device, electronic game, or portable computing device. Thus this law bans much more than just “texting”.
A driver is in violation of this law if he or she is “holding a portable electronic device while viewing, taking or transmitting images, playing games, or composing, sending, reading, viewing, accessing, browsing, transmitting, saving or retrieving email, text messages, or other electronic data”. A violation is punishable by a fine up to $150 plus a surcharge of $80-$85. Like the hand-held phone law, it is not a violation of the texting law if the portable electronic device is used for the sole purpose of communicating in an emergency situation.
As much as we believe we are capable of multi-tasking while driving, the statistics prove otherwise. Be a conscientious driver and save your phoning and texting for times when you are not driving.
Traffic Safety Grant
The Geneseo Police received a traffic safety grant from the New York State Governors Traffic Safety committee in the amount of $3,200. The grant is for the Police Department’s Child Safety Seat Program and provides safety seats to those needing them. The grant continues the program that was started in 2004. The Police Department has several safety seat installations throughout the year and will do installations by appointment for Village residents.
July 20
Officer Aaron Chase arrested Ethel Lovering, age 48 from Lakeville, NY for Operating with a Suspended Driver’s License, Unlicensed Operation and Driving while on the Cell Phone on South Street. Lovering is scheduled to appear in Geneseo Village Court on August 17.
Officer Jesse Cole arrested Brian Mackay, age 36 from Geneseo, NY and Joshua Dorris, age 21 from Warsaw, NY both for Possession of an Open Container on Megan Drive. Both are scheduled to appear in Geneseo Village Court on August 31.
July 23
Officer Raymond Goulet arrested Timothy Wilson, age 23 from Rochester, NY for Discharging a Firearm within the Village limits on Orchard Street. Wilson is scheduled to appear in Geneseo Village Court on August 17.
Officer Christopher Matteson arrested Douglas Tesoro, age 22 from Stony Brook, NY for Possession of an Open Container on Court Street. Tesoro is scheduled to appear in Geneseo Village Court on August 31.
Press Release
The Geneseo Police Department would like to remind motorists of the State’s cell phone and texting laws.
Cell phones: New YorkState was the first state in the nation to pass a ban on cell phone use when article 1225-c of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law became effective in 2001. Essentially, this law prohibits the driver of any motor vehicle from using a hand-held cell phone while the vehicle is in motion. However, the use of a hands-free cell phone is allowed. Exceptions to the law include:
· For the sole purpose of communicating in an emergency situation, such as calling 911 with an emergency.
· Police officers, fire department personnel, and the operators of an authorized emergency vehicle while in the performance of their official duties.
However, studies have shown that it is the phone conversation itself that is most distracting rather than the act of holding it to one’s ear. Therefore, even though it is legal to drive and talk on a hands-free phone, it is strongly advisable to pull over to the side of the road and stop, and then carry on your conversation.
Texting: In New York, article 1225-d became effective on November 1, 2009, and effectively banned the use of portable electronic devices while operating a moving vehicle. A “portable electronic device” is defined as a hand-held mobile telephone, personal digital assistant, handheld device with mobile data access, laptop computer, pager, broadband personal communication device, two-way messaging device, electronic game, or portable computing device. Thus this law bans much more than just “texting”.
A driver is in violation of this law if he or she is “holding a portable electronic device while viewing, taking or transmitting images, playing games, or composing, sending, reading, viewing, accessing, browsing, transmitting, saving or retrieving email, text messages, or other electronic data”. A violation is punishable by a fine up to $150 plus a surcharge of $80-$85. Like the hand-held phone law, it is not a violation of the texting law if the portable electronic device is used for the sole purpose of communicating in an emergency situation.
As much as we believe we are capable of multi-tasking while driving, the statistics prove otherwise. Be a conscientious driver and save your phoning and texting for times when you are not driving.
Traffic Safety Grant
The Geneseo Police received a traffic safety grant from the New York State Governors Traffic Safety committee in the amount of $3,200. The grant is for the Police Department’s Child Safety Seat Program and provides safety seats to those needing them. The grant continues the program that was started in 2004. The Police Department has several safety seat installations throughout the year and will do installations by appointment for Village residents.
July 20
Officer Aaron Chase arrested Ethel Lovering, age 48 from Lakeville, NY for Operating with a Suspended Driver’s License, Unlicensed Operation and Driving while on the Cell Phone on South Street. Lovering is scheduled to appear in Geneseo Village Court on August 17.
Officer Jesse Cole arrested Brian Mackay, age 36 from Geneseo, NY and Joshua Dorris, age 21 from Warsaw, NY both for Possession of an Open Container on Megan Drive. Both are scheduled to appear in Geneseo Village Court on August 31.
July 23
Officer Raymond Goulet arrested Timothy Wilson, age 23 from Rochester, NY for Discharging a Firearm within the Village limits on Orchard Street. Wilson is scheduled to appear in Geneseo Village Court on August 17.
Officer Christopher Matteson arrested Douglas Tesoro, age 22 from Stony Brook, NY for Possession of an Open Container on Court Street. Tesoro is scheduled to appear in Geneseo Village Court on August 31.