Dear Friend,

Wireless phone usage has exploded in recent years, with more than 80 million people using them in the U.S.

Wireless phone use has many benefits, but there is a growing concern about driving while using wireless phones.

In fact, it is now illegal in New York State to drive while talking or listening on a hand-held wireless phone.

This flyer focuses on the new law and potential dangers of using car phones while driving.

If you have any comments or questions, feel free to contact my office.

Motor vehicle collisions are a leading cause of death in North America, accounting for the single most frequent cause of death among children and young adults and accounting for one fatality every 10 minutes. During an average year, about 1 person in 50 will be involved in a motor vehicle collision; one percent of them will die, 10 percent will be hospitalized and 25 percent will be temporarily disabled.

Wireless phones can be an impor-tant safety feature in motor vehicles today. The popularity of wireless phones has soared in recent years, with an estimated 80 million Americans using them cur-rently. If you or someone else needs assistance while on the road, wireless phones can be very helpful. Wireless phones have been a valuable tool in the faster reporting of motor vehicle collisions, allowing rescuers to save people who otherwise may have died.

However, using a wireless phone while driving can be distracting, which could impair the performance of a driver and increase the possibility of a crash.