File #: Res 1495-2012    Version: * Name: Designating September 19, 2012 as “Don’t Text and Drive Day” in NYC.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Transportation
On agenda: 9/12/2012
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution designating September 19, 2012 as “Don’t Text and Drive Day” in New York City.
Sponsors: Peter F. Vallone, Jr., Margaret S. Chin, Lewis A. Fidler, Vincent J. Gentile, Letitia James, Peter A. Koo, Brad S. Lander, Michael C. Nelson, Deborah L. Rose, Jumaane D. Williams
Council Member Sponsors: 10
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2013*Peter F. Vallone, Jr. City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
9/12/2012*Peter F. Vallone, Jr. City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
9/12/2012*Peter F. Vallone, Jr. City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
Res. No. 1495
 
 
Resolution designating September 19, 2012 as "Don't Text and Drive Day" in New York City.
 
 
By Council Members Vallone, Chin, Fidler, Gentile, James, Koo, Lander, Nelson, Rose and Williams
 
Whereas, According to the United States Department of Transportation ("USDOT"), driver distraction contributed to 18 percent of motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2010; and
      Whereas, According to a 2006 study by the University of Utah, using a cell phone while driving causes driver distraction at the same level as having a blood alcohol level of .08; and
      Whereas, According to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, drivers who text while driving are 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident as compared to those who do not text while driving; and
Whereas, In 2009, New York State prohibited the use of hand held electronics while driving, including those used to send text messages; and
Whereas, In 2011, the New York State Legislature passed and the Governor signed further enhancements to the existing ban on texting and driving; and
Whereas, Despite the prohibition on texting and driving, the New York City Police Department ("NYPD") issued 91,324 summonses for cell phone use while driving in the first six months of 2012; and
      Whereas, According to NYPD, driver distraction is a major contributor to motor vehicle fatalities and injuries New York City; and
Whereas, According to a May 2012, AT&T "Teen Driver Survey," 43 percent of teens questioned admitted to texting while driving, and 73 percent said that the habit is common among their friends; and
      Whereas, AT&T has launched a campaign to encourage drivers not to text and drive, and to commit to not text while driving by signing a pledge on September 19, 2012; and
      Whereas, Designating September 19, 2012 as "Don't Text and Drive Day" will increase awareness among the general public, and drivers in particular, about the continued dangers of driving and texting; now, therefore, be it
      Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York designates September 19, 2012 as "Don't Text and Drive Day" in New York City.
LS# 3982
9/7/12
GZ