Should Austin Ban Cell Phone Use in Vehicles?

Photo of a woman texting while driving

In early August, Austin’s Public Safety Commission approved a recommendation to ban all cell phone use in a vehicle. The proposal would strengthen the ordinance that already bans texting while driving.

According to KVUE, “talking, texting or using a cell phone in a car, even if it’s stopped at a red light, took a step closer to becoming illegal in Austin.”

The special committee told the Austin City Council that there should be a complete ban on using cell phones, except in the following cases:

• Using the cell phone in emergencies.
• Commercial truck drivers can use two-way radios.
• Drivers can use their cell phones if they pull into a parking lot and put the car in park.

The Commission’s approval of the cell phone ban is going before the City Council later this month for a vote.

Does Texas Have Distracted Driving Laws?

Texas has laws in place that ban cell phone use for certain groups of people. However, the state has not placed an all out ban on cell phone use.

Below are the Texas laws concerning distracted driving:

• Bus drivers are banned from all cell phone use, including texting.
• Novice drivers are banned from all cell phone use, including texting.
• All Texas drivers are banned from calling or texting while driving through a school zone.

Numerous studies have shown that a distracted driver is just as dangerous as an impaired one. Unfortunately, Austin has become a dangerous place for pedestrians. A complete ban on cell phone use while driving a vehicle could definitely help make the roads safer for them and motorists.

Did You Know? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), young drivers are less likely than older drivers to say something to a driver that is texting while driving.

The Law Offices of Aaron Allison – Austin Personal Injury Attorney

Source: http://www.kvue.com/story/news/local/2014/08/04/public-safety-commission-supports-proposal-to-ban-cellphones-in-cars/13605403/