30 The Queens Courier • JUNE 13, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com MESSAGE SENT Penalties increased for texting and driving BY CRISTABELLE TUMOLA [email protected] In an effort to prevent more cell phonerelated crashes among teens, the New York State Legislature has passed legislation that strengthens texting-while-driving penalties for young and new drivers “Inattention and inexperience is a deadly combination and no parent should have to experience losing a child at the hands of a text message,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo, who proposed the legislation. In 2011, 3,331 people were killed in crashes involving distracted driving behavior, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There were 3,267 reported deaths in 2010. A 2011 study published in the medical journal Pediatrics found that 45 percent of high school students age 16 and younger reported texting-while-driving within the last 30 days. The new law will apply to probationary license holders, those who passed their test within the last six months and junior license holders, drivers under 18 who have some license restrictions. For the first conviction, probationary and junior licenses will be suspended for 60 days. If there is another violation within six months of the license being restored, probationary licenses will be revoked for six months and junior licenses for 60 days. Those are the same penalties probationary and junior licenses holders receive for speeding and reckless driving. Texting-while-driving is not only a concern for teens and new drivers. The same day Cuomo announced the legislation, he also directed the state DMV to increase penalties for textingwhile driving for all drivers starting the weekend of June 1. He asked the New York State Police to increase enforcement of the texting-while-driving ban during the summer. Under the order, the DMV increased the number of points earned on a person’s driving record from three to five if they are convicted of texting-while-driving and other cell-phone related violations. TAXI HAIL ACT GETS GREEN LIGHT BY CRISTABELLE TUMOLA [email protected] Taxi! It will soon be easier to flag down a ride in the outer boroughs. The New York State Court of Appeals has upheld a state law allowing livery service vehicles to pick up street hails in Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx and Upper Manhattan. “With this decision, we can finally bring safe, reliable taxi service to the four and a half boroughs that don’t currently have it,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg in a statement announcing the court’s decision on June 6. In the same ruling, the court also expanded taxi service to the disabled by authorizing the sale of 2,000 additional medallions for wheelchair-accessible yellow taxicabs. The New York State Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court, said in its unanimous decision that the Senate and Assembly did not violate the state’s constitution by enacting the HAIL Act. The law creates a program allowing the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) to issue street hail licenses to livery vehicles everywhere in the city except at the two airports and within Manhattan’s central business district, marked by East 96th Street and West 110th Street. The decision is a relief to Queens residents who have had to depend on illegal, off-the-street pick-ups. These rides, unlike yellow cabs, lack meters and other guarantees that come with a street hail license. “I think a lot of people tend to avoid the livery cars just because they have NYC Mayor’s Office’s Flickr/Photo Kristen Artz Livery cars licensed under a street hail program in the outer boroughs must be painted in an official green color. this perception that it’s going to be a lot more expensive,” said Austeja Makoveckaite of Astoria. “Some people are afraid for security reasons.” The new license program allows livery vehicles to answer street hails and prearranged pick-ups in upper Manhattan and the outer boroughs, excluding the airports. Passengers will be able to distinguish between legal and illegal street hail vehicles by their color. All TLC licensees will be required to paint their cars bright green, said the group’s spokesperson. They must also install a GPS unit, credit card machine, taxi meter and roof light. The rate will be the same as yellow taxis’. The TLC is currently reviewing applications for the licenses. The green cabs are expected to hit the streets this summer. With additional reporting by Rosa Kim Good reasons to visit our dental office Our doctors are gentle, caring and listen to you. We explain your treatment so clearly you can understand. We offer quality, professional dentistry that lasts Everyone can afford to have Invisalign morning Special 15% OFF We offer No Interest Payment Plans Complimentary Exam & Consultation $1,750 Summer Sale Complete Implant Package st of the 2013 THE QUEENS QueensCourier.com Place a good looking smile DR. PAUL IM 252-20 Northern Blvd. #200 Little Neck, NY 11362 718-224-9453 Morning visit for invisalign special must be made before 1 pm to receive 15% off. Insurance benefits accepted. Details given at complimentary consultation.
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