Latest local news, weather and sports for Syracuse and Central New York

Tuesday, April 23, 2013  The Town of Cicero is teaching new drivers about the realities about distracted and impaired driving. The Police Department purchased a driving simulator to take these teens through the real life scenarios they will look to avoid going forward.

Monday, April 22, 2013  Troopers will be stepping up patrols on the New York Thruway to nab motorists using cellphones while driving.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013  The National Safety Council estimates that some 24 percent of all car accidents involve cell phone use. While many states have bans against texting or talking on the phone while driving, that's not always enough to keep people from doing it. A Virginia company has created a new device to improve driving safety.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013  If your child is on their cell phone right now, ask them to stop. You may want them to sit a little differently after you hear this. There's a new mobile health problem called Text Neck and it's causing concern for young people, especially teenage girls.

Friday, January 25, 2013  Cuomo wants fines for talking or texting on the phone while driving to be at least $50 and rise to a maximum of $550 for multiple violations.

Friday, October 19, 2012  Many young people are too busy texting or talking to bother looking both ways before they cross the street.

Friday, July 13, 2012  Authorities in New York report issuing more than 20,000 tickets to motorists in the first year under a tougher law against using handheld electronics while driving.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012  Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest cellphone company, is dropping nearly all of its phone plans in favor of pricing schemes that encourage consumers to connect their non-phone devices, like tablets and PCs, to Verizon's network.

Monday, April 23, 2012  The next time you get behind the wheel, make sure to put down your cell phone.

Tuesday, April 03, 2012  Law enforcement agencies in New York and in Canada are coming together for the "Safety Without Boarders Initiative" to improve road safety.

Thursday, February 16, 2012  Soon, high school students who participate in the East Syracuse Minoa television studio will know if they've won as much as $15,000 in a contest sponsored by an insurance company.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012  Police across New York state have issued nearly 119,000 tickets to drivers using handheld devices behind the wheel in the last seven months.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011  The National Transportation Safety Board is recommending every state ban all cell phone use, even with a hands-free device.

Friday, December 09, 2011  For all the criticism and new legal bans, texting by drivers just keeps increasing, especially among younger motorists.

Friday, December 02, 2011  More than 800 drivers across New York were issued tickets for texting while driving over the Thanksgiving holiday.