Cell Phone Use Banned in School Zones in Texas
Starting September 1, 2009, it will no longer be legal to talk on a cell phone while driving in a school zone unless you’re using a hands-free device or there is an emergency. In order to be enforceable, municipalities will need to install signs that will notify drivers of the law. The fine for breaking this law will be $200.
California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Island have all banned talking on a hand-held cell phone while driving. Seventeen states and Washington D.C. have banned texting while driving. Texting I completely get. However, I don’t consider talking on a phone any more distracting than talking with a passenger. What is distracting is looking at the phone to pull up a number so maybe that is why states have passed laws.
There are a lot of schools in large Texas cities and I doubt that most cities will have money in the budget to install signs at all school zones. Perhaps what they can do is install signs in some areas and wait for fines to roll in. They could then use that income to install signs in other areas. As this law hasn’t gotten much attention, I have a feeling cities will be writing a lot of tickets.