Title
Discuss an ordinance prohibiting text-based communications while operating a motor vehicle.
Body
DISCUSSION:
This item was placed on the agenda at the request of Councilperson Reyes.
The proliferation of cell phones has led to distracted drivers creating unsafe conditions by texting while driving. Several states have passed "texting while driving laws", but Texas has yet to pass such a law. The Texas Legislature has taken up the issue in their past two sessions, however none of the bills have passed. Many municipalities in Texas have passed various versions of the "texting while driving" laws, including two in the DFW metroplex; Grand Prairie and Arlington.
It is difficult to know the actual number of accidents attributable to texting while driving because most drivers don't admit to being distracted by texting and the state accident form only captures cell phone usage as a factor, (even talking on the cell phone). Taking those limitations into consideration, in 2012 and 2013 the City of Farmers Branch had eleven accidents where drivers admitted being distracted by a cell phone; either talking on the phone, texting or looking at their GPS. In 2013 a city employee lost his leg after being struck by a driver who admitted to looking down at her cell phone. In 2014 we have had two accidents involving cell phones, including a cyclist hit by a driver looking at the GPS feature of his phone.
Texas law currently prohibits use of cell phones while driving if:
* Driver has a learners permit for less than six months
* Driver is under 18 years of age
* Driver is operating a school bus and children are present
* In school zones
In researching the ordinances passed by Grand Prairie and Arlington it appears both are largely symbolic and are a part of an overall educational awareness campaign to reduce texting while driving accidents. The ordinances prohibit reading, writing or sending a text-based communication. Voice based communication and t...
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