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.

[Daniel Beuchert]

Originally Posted by 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?

I'm looking at this as an avid CB user, and my cell phone bluetooth is networked through my CB and wondering about this being too far too. I have nothing against someone texting or with a phone glued to their sholder getting a fine in a school zone (I've nearly been killed trying to pull into my school by someone running a red), but come on, there's gotta be some common sense in legislation and enforcement. I'm glad that got thrown out for you.

Piggy backing onto Ben's comment, and the ones after that ... if you make consequences of being dumb and driving recklessly or distracted (of which there are already laws everywhere for), people would stop doing it, just as if a new law were passed (possibly more so). For example, to an extreme, if you shot everyone's foot off who drove drunk, less would do it.

I just wonder why the laws that are already on the books and that cover distracted driving aren't used like they should be ... and instead more laws to specifically point out cell phones are used. If you're driving distracted, you are already breaking the law - just enforce that one.

[Andrew.Gardonia]

Originally Posted by Ben Holcomb

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.

unfortunately people are too ignorant to figure it out for themselves what they should and shouldn't be doing while driving a vehicle, so the government has to do it for us because the average person is nothing more than a 5 year old in an adult body who needs to be told what to do.

LACK OF COMMON SENSE IN SOCIETY = GOVERNMENT STEPPING IN.

drivers should be focused on the road, paying attention to their rearview mirrors, sideview mirrors and what's in front of them, NOT TRYING TO TALK ON THE DAMN PHONE WHILE DRIVING, not putting on makeup, not texting, not digging around in the backseat with one hand while looking over their shoulder, and trying to drive at the same time, not brushing their hair.

if you need to talk, pull off at the nearest exit, and into a parking lot, make your phone call, then resume driving after you have completed your call.

People are too lazy to pull it over and be safe for themselves and for the other drivers on the road. And IMO, if cops see anyone driving while distracted, they should pull 'em over, and give them a reckless driving ticket, and it should count 6 points against their license, non-amendable, no questions asked.

Driving is dangerous enough as it is without people driving while distracted. Why should we allow it to become even more dangerous by letting idiots talk on cell phones/radio devices while driving?

Originally Posted by Jason Foster

It isn't about government telling you what to do, as much as it is about the government protecting the children, teachers, parents from people like you (well, offenders) from taking a life, because liability exists. Also, it is freedom to live that trumps your freedom to use electronics. I'd say yes, the government has every right to dictate such a law....and I think it should include chasers, not exempt. If you don't violate the law, then there isn't any problem right. Do we really need to bring the thread about speeding back to discuss this!

well spoke Jason.

[Lee Kuhlman]

You forgot about the one that annoys me the most. SMOKING while driving. You don't see any bans on that. Couple that with the phone and makeup. I've seen it during drive time in the morning.

Originally Posted by Andrew.Gardonia

drivers should be focused on the road, paying attention to their rearview mirrors, sideview mirrors and what's in front of them, NOT TRYING TO TALK ON THE DAMN PHONE WHILE DRIVING, not putting on makeup, not texting, not digging around in the backseat with one hand while looking over their shoulder, and trying to drive at the same time, not brushing their hair.

if you need to talk, pull off at the nearest exit, and into a parking lot, make your phone call, then resume driving after you have completed your call.

[Andrew.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]

Originally Posted by Andrew.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.

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!