The Buffalo News reported today that the Town of Amherst last Monday became the first Erie County municipality to pass a law that would prohibit drivers from composing, reading or sending a text message while behind the wheel. Violators face a $150 fine for each offense. It also reported that the Cattaraugus County Legislature passed a similar law in June. Niagara County and Erie County legislatures are expected to vote on similar proposed laws in the coming weeks.

Disney monorail death to be investigated
The Chicago Tribune reported on July 7 that in addition to OSHA, “the National Transportation Safety Board said Monday it will investigate the deadly collision on Walt Disney World’s monorail, an unprecedented move by a federal agency best known for probing airline crashes.”