In Orono many citizens have varying opinions about Maine’s new distracted driver law.
The intention of the law is to make the roads safer and to keep people’s attention on their driving, not on other things. Statistics show that cell phones cause a lot of motor vehicle accidents. Maine is also one of many states now taking action in trying to prevent these accidents by banning cell phone use.
California, Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington, New York and Michigan already have bans on handheld devices while driving.
Maine’s law went into effect recently and many Maine residents are not yet familiar with it and how it affects their lives. The law in Maine is set up not only to ban cell phones but any major distraction that the driver engages in. This can include applying makeup, reading the paper or using a cell phone.
The law is designed to be an additional fine to any driving infraction if the officer can find that the driver suffered from a distraction. This law makes distracted driving a secondary violation.
Cell phone use is the most common of all of these distractions and what comes to mind first for most Maine residents. In Orono a lot of people expressed concern that cell phone use really is causing a danger on the roads and can understand why this law was put into effect.
Some Orono residents also admit that they frequently use their cell phones while they drive. They also say that it would be difficult for them to stop using their cell phones while they are driving their cars.
Other residents of Orono do not think that this law is necessary and that cell phone use is not really that dangerous. They also say that this law will not stop them from using their cell phones while they are driving.
Whether Orono residents agree with this new law or not, they will all have to live with it and adjust their driving habits.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Distracted Drivers in Orono
On September twelfth several new laws went into effect in the state of Maine. One of these new laws was the Distracted Driver law. This is a secondary violation law where the driver has to be stopped for another offense to be written up for this.
The new law bans any sort of act that could distract the driver from paying attention to the roads. These distractions can include using a cell phone, putting on makeup or reading the paper.
A driver that is observed to be driving erratically can now receive an extra fine for using electronic devices like a cell phone. Other states like California and Connecticut already have a similar law banning cell phone use while driving.
Sergeant Scott Scripture of the Orono Police department describes this as a law set up to protect people from unnecessary accidents. Sergeant Scripture says that a lot of accidents in the town are caused by people using their cell phone and not paying attention then rear ending the person in front of them.
Sergeant Scripture talks about how the University of Maine affects driving in the community.
In order to determine whether a cell phone caused a person to drive erratically the police mostly use observations of the driver. Also witnesses will often be able to tell the police that the driver of the vehicle was on their cell phone. The police will also conduct an accident investigation and can discover that the driver was suing their phone at the time of the accident.
Sergeant Scripture hopes that this new law makes people think twice about what they do while they are driving.
Many people in the community see this as a good measure to try and make the roads a safer place. Assistant town manager Maria Weinberger says that this is an important law and hope that it is effective here like it was in other states.
Orono residents also hope that this new law can help make the roads safer for them and everyone else. Yet many residents also admit to using their phones while driving even though they are aware that it can be dangerous.
Orono resident Camas Sader talks about knowing the dangers and statistics of cell phone use while driving.
People will still be able to use their phones while driving if they change to a hands free headset. This option gives people who need to use their phone for business or other reasons the ability to still do so and not be a danger to people around them.
The new law bans any sort of act that could distract the driver from paying attention to the roads. These distractions can include using a cell phone, putting on makeup or reading the paper.
A driver that is observed to be driving erratically can now receive an extra fine for using electronic devices like a cell phone. Other states like California and Connecticut already have a similar law banning cell phone use while driving.
Sergeant Scott Scripture of the Orono Police department describes this as a law set up to protect people from unnecessary accidents. Sergeant Scripture says that a lot of accidents in the town are caused by people using their cell phone and not paying attention then rear ending the person in front of them.
Sergeant Scripture talks about how the University of Maine affects driving in the community.
In order to determine whether a cell phone caused a person to drive erratically the police mostly use observations of the driver. Also witnesses will often be able to tell the police that the driver of the vehicle was on their cell phone. The police will also conduct an accident investigation and can discover that the driver was suing their phone at the time of the accident.
Sergeant Scripture hopes that this new law makes people think twice about what they do while they are driving.
Many people in the community see this as a good measure to try and make the roads a safer place. Assistant town manager Maria Weinberger says that this is an important law and hope that it is effective here like it was in other states.
Orono residents also hope that this new law can help make the roads safer for them and everyone else. Yet many residents also admit to using their phones while driving even though they are aware that it can be dangerous.
Orono resident Camas Sader talks about knowing the dangers and statistics of cell phone use while driving.
People will still be able to use their phones while driving if they change to a hands free headset. This option gives people who need to use their phone for business or other reasons the ability to still do so and not be a danger to people around them.
Storm Water Program in Orono
Orono assistant town manager Maria Weinberger has a lot of responsibilities in the town. As the assistant town manager her main function is to provide human resources and labor relation support to town manager Cathy Conlow. Along with her work as the assistant manager she also serves as the area welfare director, the area health coordinator and the Orono representative on the MS4 storm water education program.
The MS4 storm water program is designed to educate members on the community about what they are putting into the water. This program is part of a national mandate called The Clean Water Act.
As part of this program the Orono public works department has stenciled area storm drains to say drains directly to river no dumping.
Parks Hardware is also working in conjunction with the program to help educate people about safe chemicals they can use to treat their lawns.
There has also been a lot of participation each year with the stream cleanup. Where area residents get together and clean up the stream beds and river banks. This year about a hundred residents and town officials got together to clean up the Stillwater River.
Maria talks about how this program is important in teaching people to think before they dispose of their garbage.
The MS4 storm water program is designed to educate members on the community about what they are putting into the water. This program is part of a national mandate called The Clean Water Act.
As part of this program the Orono public works department has stenciled area storm drains to say drains directly to river no dumping.
Parks Hardware is also working in conjunction with the program to help educate people about safe chemicals they can use to treat their lawns.
There has also been a lot of participation each year with the stream cleanup. Where area residents get together and clean up the stream beds and river banks. This year about a hundred residents and town officials got together to clean up the Stillwater River.
Maria talks about how this program is important in teaching people to think before they dispose of their garbage.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
H1N1 in Orono Maine
Orono, Maine is concerned with the H1N1 Virus much like many other communities in the country. The virus could potentially affect this small community much greater than other towns in Maine. Along with its local school system, School Union 87, Orono also has to consider the viruses effect on the University of Maine.
Assistant Town Manager Maria Weinberger is instrumental in the planning for taking care of the citizens of Orono. Weinberger also serves as the town’s local Health Officer. Her role makes her key in dealing with any H1N1 Virus issues in the community. The town is planning a day for influenza vaccination.
Weinberger warns that when the H1N1 Virus Vaccination is available that people should couple it with the standard influenza vaccination. People currently expect a cure for the H1N1 Virus but that is not yet available. Town management in Orono can only pass along the information that they get from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and they take cues on how to deal with the virus from the federal government. The local fire department is the first respondents for an outbreak and has been training on how to contain the virus.
Orono and its school system are working together to vaccinate the students against the influenza. Orono High School Athletic Director Mike Archer talks about what is being done for the students.
Archer also says that there is no shutdown plan for an H1N1 Virus outbreak. The only current plan is to keep any students with the flu at their homes. The Orono school system is hoping that if there is a breakout that containment will be the best course of action as it is not feasible to completely shut down the schools. The hope is that H1N1 does not affect any of the athletic seasons in the state. Archer talks about how students are safe playing sports.
According to Weinberger even once the vaccination is actually available it cannot protect people from themselves. She stresses the need to constantly wash your hands and protect yourself and others from germs.
Information on the virus is also constantly changing. The definition of when the Virus is still contagious has changed several times. Now it is believed that the virus is no longer contagious after coughing has stopped, which usually takes a week or more. Originally it was thought that the virus was no longer contagious after the fever has subdued, which was generally after two to three days.
There have not yet been any reported incidents of the virus in Orono, Maine.
Assistant Town Manager Maria Weinberger is instrumental in the planning for taking care of the citizens of Orono. Weinberger also serves as the town’s local Health Officer. Her role makes her key in dealing with any H1N1 Virus issues in the community. The town is planning a day for influenza vaccination.
Weinberger warns that when the H1N1 Virus Vaccination is available that people should couple it with the standard influenza vaccination. People currently expect a cure for the H1N1 Virus but that is not yet available. Town management in Orono can only pass along the information that they get from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and they take cues on how to deal with the virus from the federal government. The local fire department is the first respondents for an outbreak and has been training on how to contain the virus.
Orono and its school system are working together to vaccinate the students against the influenza. Orono High School Athletic Director Mike Archer talks about what is being done for the students.
Archer also says that there is no shutdown plan for an H1N1 Virus outbreak. The only current plan is to keep any students with the flu at their homes. The Orono school system is hoping that if there is a breakout that containment will be the best course of action as it is not feasible to completely shut down the schools. The hope is that H1N1 does not affect any of the athletic seasons in the state. Archer talks about how students are safe playing sports.
According to Weinberger even once the vaccination is actually available it cannot protect people from themselves. She stresses the need to constantly wash your hands and protect yourself and others from germs.
Information on the virus is also constantly changing. The definition of when the Virus is still contagious has changed several times. Now it is believed that the virus is no longer contagious after coughing has stopped, which usually takes a week or more. Originally it was thought that the virus was no longer contagious after the fever has subdued, which was generally after two to three days.
There have not yet been any reported incidents of the virus in Orono, Maine.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Orono High School Football 9/11/09
The Orono Red Riots defeated the Old Town Coyotes Friday night. The score was Orono 33 Old Town 14
here are a few highlights from the game
here are a few highlights from the game
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