New Texas Law - No Wireless in School Zones

[Tom Dulong]

Just be sure you are phoning (via bluetooth), not texting, a tornado report when caught in a school zone! Here is a new Texas law effective 1 September 2009:

• HB 55 makes it illegal to use a wireless communication device in a school zone unless the vehicle is stopped or a hands-free device is used. Cities or counties wanting to enforce this law must post a sign at the beginning of each school zone to inform drivers that using a wireless communications device is prohibited and the operator is subject to a fine. It is a defense to prosecution if the operator was making an emergency call.

 

[Kris Hair]

I'm pretty sure that a tornado classifies as an emergency call.

 

[Benjamin Rock]

In Chicago, IL they already passed that law. There is a big hoopla regarding Amateur Radio Ops however and whether or not they can stop a licensed op from using their radio since it is not hands free. I guess they recently made an amendment stating that you must have HAM radio license plates in order for it to be okay. Those are expensive. I got stopped in the loop at an intersection, during a red light because I picked up the mic and made a contact while in the city. The officer walked over to me and told me to pull around the corner. I asked what i did wrong and he said I was not using a hands free device.(instant $200 fine). I about snarked in my pants. I preceeded to tell him I was a HAM op and a local ARES member. He pretty much blew it off. I showed him my FCC license and IDs and he said to take it up with the judge. So I did. It got tossed out but I lost a day of work because of it. I understand where they are coming from, but does it have to be that extreme? Seriously?

 

[Pat Darrow]

Colorado's goes into effect on December 1, 2009. The new law bans adults from texting while driving. For drivers 18 and under, using a cell phone in any way while behind the wheel will be illegal.

 

[Drew.Gardonia]

cell phone usage while operating a motor vehicle should be outlawed PERIOD. it is distracting, and takes the drivers full focus off the road, even when using a hands free bluetooth device, and makes for a dangerous situation.

 

[Eric Whitehill]

cell phone usage while operating a motor vehicle should be outlawed PERIOD. it is distracting, and takes the drivers full focus off the road, even when using a hands free bluetooth device, and makes for a dangerous situation.

But but but but but using Spotter Network and GrlevelX and video cameras and and and while we're hunting tornadoes is ok, right?

 

[Steve Worthington]

Well, well, well yes it`s ok. I`m driving while my chase partner is doing the computer thing so HA!

 

[Paul Knightley]

But but but but but using Spotter Network and GrlevelX and video cameras and and and while we're hunting tornadoes is ok, right?

No, it's not! Mobile phone usage whilst driving (excepting hands-free kits/Bluetooth, etc) has been outlawed in the UK for a number of years now, and rightly so. It's been proved that it causes distraction whilst driving, to a dangerous and sometimes deadly degree. If you're behind the wheel, you should be concentrating on driving.

 

[Jay McCoy]

This law is for cell phone usage and will be very limited in its usage. Each city will decide if they want to enforce this law and then have to post warnings at the schools they choose to enforce it at. It wont be for every school and a laptop is a hands free device so its exempt anyway. Its purpose is soley to get people off their cell and pay attention to the kids crossing the street. Also it will only be for times when kids will be out of class like the 20mph speed limit. Its only in effect for an hour before and after school.

not to mention I doubt may of us will be chasing in a school zone during the school year.

 

[Paul Knightley]

So it's OK for people to not be paying attention when they're away from a school zone?!

 

[Darren Addy]

So it's OK for people to not be paying attention when they're away from a school zone?!

Fines double in road construction zones in Nebraska, too. So in Nebraska we value the lives of school children AND road construction workers. The rest of us are on our own.

Some grandstanding politician should start a movement to double salaries in school zones.

 

[Ben Holcomb]

cell phone usage while operating a motor vehicle should be outlawed PERIOD.

Because the government telling us what to do is really what we want? Personally I would rather they leave the decision up to me on whether or not I'd like to be reckless. If I caused injuries in an accident, though, I would expect there to be some pretty harsh penalties.

 

[Adam Lucio]

Because the government telling us what to do is really what we want? Personally I would rather they leave the decision up to me on whether or not I'd like to be reckless. If I caused injuries in an accident, though, I would expect there to be some pretty harsh penalties.

I agree...the problem is not too many people would accept the consequences when they F up. People always have to point the finger and figure out how it was the other persons fault.

 

[Jay McCoy]

So it's OK for people to not be paying attention when they're away from a school zone?!

I was speaking of the legal aspect of the law not the moral part. I think everybody should have to use hands free cell devices. As for laptops. It is an extreme minority that actually use laptops in their vehicles. Cops, utilities, chasers...and even fewer while driving like chasers so thats not even worth legislating. Thats better left to common sense.

And this whole topic has to do with the law IN school zones so it will have a very negligible effect on chasers so why even bother worrying about it?

As for the argument about hands free laws nationwide.. I think the studies showing that talking on a cell phone increases your chance of a wreck to the same level as DUI says enough. We wont even get into texting which increases your chances by 6x over driving drunk!!

It was so much easier when we had those 3watt monster cells mounted to our dashes with a built in mic and speaker.

 

[Shane Adams]

It was so much easier when we had those 3watt monster cells mounted to our dashes with a built in mic and speaker.

Man I loved mine, best phone I ever owned. I'd still be using it if it hadn't bit the dust in 2000.