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Texting while driving in Canfield will cost you
By Elise Franco
City police hope a new ban on texting will help force drivers to keep their eyes on the road.
The texting ordinance, adopted by city council in September, goes into effect Friday, said police Chief Chuck Colucci. He said he pushed for the ban because of the nationwide increase in texting-related traffic accidents.
“We took the proactive stance because of the increase,” he said. “We truly care about traffic safety in our community, and our commitment to our residents is to provide the safest streets possible.”
The ordinance says that no one is permitted to send or read mobile text messages or e-mails while driving a car within city limits.
Colucci said though officers have the authority to stop drivers on that violation alone, they won’t be targeting motorists.
“It’s a primary violation in the city, so if we do observe somebody texting, they can be stopped,” he said. “We’re not just going to be out looking for people, though. We’ll look for other things like left of center and following too closely.”
A first offense is a $100 fine, second is $250, and anything after that is up to $500 per violation, according to the ordinance.
City Manager Joe Warino said the ban is something that is needed, not just in Canfield.
“If we can save a life, it’s done its job,” he said. “It was kind of staggering, the number of accidents [nationwide] related to texting and use of cell phones within vehicles.”
Warino said notices will be posted at main thoroughfares in the city so motorists crossing community borders are aware of the law.
Colucci said he doesn’t know of any texting-related incidents in the city, and he hopes with the new ban, there won’t ever be one.
“People need to realize they’re going to be held accountable for their actions,” he said. “When texting, you have divided your attention and put yourself and passenger in your vehicle, as well as other motorists, at risk.”