Conroe will consider a new ordinance on March 25 to prohibit texting or web-browsing while driving.
Modeled after an ordinance passed by Missouri City, the new law prohibits the use of a mobile communication device for texting or Internet browsing while driving. If approved, Conroe would join other cities like Galveston and Manvel City in banning the practice.
“It’s gaining momentum around the state of Texas,” said Conroe Mayor Webb Melder.
The ordinance is expected to be introduced at the March 25 meeting and could take effect in April. Those in violations of the proposed law would face fines of up to $500.
The proposed ordinance would cover any text-based communication, such as electronic mail, a text message, instant message or Internet browsing while the vehicle is in operation. The ordinance would also cover the use of such devices when the vehicle is stopped or standing in a roadway in the city.
Under the proposal, the ordinance would allow a defense for phone calls as well as the use of global positioning systems or navigation systems.
Defenses also can be used for summoning emergency assistance for police, fire or medical issues, for reporting accidents or serious traffic hazards or while the car is standing in legal parking areas at the side of the road.
“It’s pretty self explanatory,” said Councilwoman Marsha Porter. “It’s pretty hard to drive and text unless you are driving with your knees.”
More than 19 states have banned texting while driving and the federal Department of Transportation has prohibited truck and bus drivers from the practice.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood supports a national ban on texting while driving.
There are several conflicting national studies on the issue of driving while texting. A study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that when the drivers texted, their collision risk was 23 times greater than when not texting.
Another study by the Highway Loss Data Institute, which examined insurance claims from crashes before and after such bans took effect in California, New York, Connecticut and Washington, D.C., found that claims rates did not go down after the laws were enacted. It also found no change in patterns compared with nearby states without bans.
Conroe’s texting ban following a recent state law that allows municipalities to ban the use of cell phones in school zones. Cities were required to put up warning signs for drivers before they could enforce the new laws. The texting ban does not require similar signage.
No Texting While Driving
The Conroe City Council will consider banning texting while driving on city streets at its March 25th meeting. Following are the key provisions of the proposed ordinance:
• prohibits the use of a mobile communication device for texting or Internet browsing while driving.
• Texting includes electronic mail, a text message, an instant message or Internet browsing.
• A defense is allows for phone calls or the use of global positioning systems as well as for summoning help in emergencies, reporting accidents or traffic hazard, or while the car is standing in legal parking areas at the side of the road.
• Violators are subject to fines of up to $500.
Source: City of Conroe
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Comments
Good
A computer with a keyboard on your dash? You are driving a deadly weapon! Next it should be cell phones in general! Just pull over into a parking lot, because I guarantee you that most people talking on the phone are just having a "what ya doing" conversation! We have too many people who do not know the rules of the road and do the most confounding things. Case in point -Yesterday morning.
std symptoms
This is a good law. Otherwise, talking on phone or browsing
This is a good law. Otherwise, talking on phone or browsing while driving is not good. It often leads to miss happening. I admire the sarkari naukri people in doing so.
Next it should be cell phones in general! Just pull over into a
Next it should be cell phones in general! Just pull over into a parking lot, because I guarantee you that most people talking on the phone are just having a "what ya doing" conversation! We have too many people who do not know the rules of the road and do the most confounding things. Case in point -Yesterday morning. Cheers Etracker
I'm not sure
Well, this was absolutely predictable. The situation will not change itself, its quite uderstandable. The things are not going the way they could go, but the reason is one - ignorance. You want some change - do something. You can make a resume, but you won't be hired right now. You can buy a soap, but you won't be clean immediatly. You can turn to Jesus, but your sins won't repent right away.
Same here.
Texting and driving
Allstate has a cool website that has a pledge parents and teens can sign saying they won't text and drive!! http://allstateteendriver.com
It should be nation wide. It is ridiculous! The amount of
It should be nation wide. It is ridiculous! The amount of people I see texting on the freeway or any road for that matter is epidemic. You are not in your living room, pay attention to your speed (almost always too slow, 35 mph in a 60 zone!)and the road! What's next? A computer with a keyboard on your dash? You are driving a deadly weapon! Next it should be cell phones in general! Just pull over into a parking lot, because I guarantee you that most people talking on the phone are just having a "what ya doing" conversation! We have too many people who do not know the rules of the road and do the most confounding things. Case in point -Yesterday morning, I need to turn right and there is a car in the right hand turn lane with two people, the flashers are on, but one of the persons is outside, has the hatchback open and is going through their grocery bags! AND, there was a parking lot right next to them!!!!!!!!! Please people!
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