Pittsford, N.Y. – The Town of Pittsford is temporarily banning cell phone use for employees driving town vehicles.
The move follows an accident in February in which a town snow plow backed over and killed Jennifer Simson, a mother of three, in a parking lot.
Police say the truck driver, Doug Driscoll, was talking on a cell phone with a hands-free device at the time.
While it reviews its personnel policies, the town is telling all its employees not to talk on a cell phone – even with a hands-free device - while driving.
“In light of the accident of what happened here last year, it just makes sense for me and I don’t think it’s too much of a hardship,” said John Winter, who lives in Pittsford.
Todd Butler, president of the Ad Council of Rochester, says this kind of move may influence people outside Pittsford’s payroll.
“We recognize how dangerous this is and this is one input that can help change the social norm,” Butler said.
Chili and Brighton both prohibit employees from using cell phones while driving on the job.
