Texas City Considers Text Message Ban
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Texas City Considers Text Message Ban
Officials in another Texas city are considering a ban on text messaging while driving.
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(November 4, 2008)—Austin officials are considering a ban on text messaging while driving.

Austin's public safety task force approved a resolution Monday that the City Council ask City Manager Marc Ott and his staff to develop a proposal, vet it and take it back to the council for consideration.

Under the resolution, motorists would be required to use hands-free devices.

The Austin American-Statesman reports Councilman Mike Martinez said he has received dozens of calls in recent months from motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists asking for such a law.

Debbie Russell, president of the Central Texas chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, said she's not sure it's necessary to "to create a crime for this distraction."

Seven states including Alaska, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey and West Virginia have enacted laws banning text messaging by drivers.

Text messaging while driving also is banned in Washington, D.C.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Just sayin is all Location: Ft Hood on Nov 5, 2008 at 09:24 AM

Why should they make a law against it? If a person hits someone when changing radio stations or eating isnt that already a crime? Or should the sentence be harsher because some idiot was texting? Dumb @$$ driving is dumb @$$ driving. Its already a crime.
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Mother of Three Location: Temple on Nov 5, 2008 at 08:47 AM

I admit, I use my cell phone while driving but not very often and I don't drive recklessly while using it. I am in favor of using the hands-free devices because sometimes you NEED to talk when you're driving. (If you're lost and trying to find a place due to bad directions, etc.) I don't see this as a step to take all our freedoms away. People are DYING because other dummies don't know how to talk and drive at the same time. Some think if they slow down while talking it will help. Often it does not. We've come up on a driver going 45 on I-35 while talking on the phone. That creeps up on you really quickly, and try stopping an 18 wheeler on a dime. Use a hands-free device or get off the phone if you can't drive at the same time people.
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Bob Location: Belton on Nov 4, 2008 at 03:13 PM

Its about time, its bad enough that people cant stop talking on a phone long enough to drive much less text...I'm all for not talking on cell phones while driving period.If you have to talk, pull over and stop then talk on the stupid phone or better yet, wait until you get home...
[ Report Abuse ]
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