Cuomo Unveils 'Texting Zones' For Drivers Along NY State Highways
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New York state highways will now feature texting zones for drivers who just can't wait to use their mobile devices.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled the program on Monday.
Cuomo Unveils 'Texting Zones' For Drivers Along NY State Highways
The zones are actually existing rest stops, park-n-ride lots and other facilities, but new signs are being put up designating them as places where drivers can stop to legally and safely use their phones or other devices.
"With this new effort, we are sending a clear message to drivers that there is no excuse to take your hands off the wheel and eyes off the road because your text can wait until the next texting zone," Cuomo said.
Robert Sinclair from AAA New York applauded the initiative.
"This would seem to cover the education component, letting them have this information, pointing them to spots where they can pull off the road and engage in this activity," he told WCBS 880's Paul Murnane.
But many drivers weren't so sure that the new texting zones would work.
"It's not going to stop people from texting and driving at all," one man told 1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg. "It's not practical at all."
Cuomo Unveils 'Texting Zones' For Drivers Along NY State Highways
"I don't think that makes much sense at all," said another driver. "Obviously, you shouldn't text while you're driving but to make a rest area a text stop, probably not a good idea."
"I don't know,
Some did seem to like the idea.
"It will gradually catch on possibly and more people will pay attention to it," one driver told 1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg.
A total of 298 signs will be located along major highways across the state notifying drivers of 91 texting zones.
Texting zones located in our area are below:
Putnam County
- I-684 in Brewster
Dutchess County
- I-84 in Fishkill
- I-84 in Stormville
Rockland County
- I-87 at the Ramapo service area
- I-87 at the Sloatsburg service area
Westchester County
- I-87 at the Ardsley service area
- I-684 in Bedford
Suffolk County
- I-495 in Huntington
For a complete list of texting zones across the state, click here.
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