The National Safety Council estimates that 25% of automobile accidents are caused by cell Phone use. Distracted Driving is a serious problem; in 2013, over 3,000 people were killed in automobile accidents caused by distracted driving.
San Marcos police officers began issuing citations on March 1 to drivers caught using cell phones or other handheld devices while driving a vehicle or riding a bicycle. The ordinance began on February 1 with a month-long grace period, issuing only warnings to violators. But the grace period is over and if you’re caught on your cell phone while you’re behind the wheel, you will be issued a ticket.
New Braunfels, San Antonio, and Austin have already put the hands-free ban in effect to help reduce the number of automobile accidents due to distracted driving.
While any distracted driving is dangerous, texting while driving is one of the most dangerous types of distracted driving. Consider this: 5 seconds is the minimum amount of time it takes to glance at a text. If you’re traveling at 55mph, you’ll drive the length of a football field without looking at the road. If you read a text or try to respond, you’re driving blindly for even longer.
Here are 3 things you need to know about the hands-free laws in Texas.
Laws Against Texting and Driving
Even though there isn’t a statewide law banning cellphone use while driving, many cities around Texas have enforced their own laws. Forty cities have ordinances prohibiting texting while driving. Some of the Texas cities include:
- Austin
- Converse
- Corpus Christi
- Galveston
- New Braunfels
- San Antonio
- San Marcos
Total Ban on Handheld Devices
Some cities in Texas have total bans on the use of all handheld electronic devices. Both San Marcos and New Braunfels ban the following actions while driving:
- Engaging in calls on your phone
- Taking pictures with your phone or viewing them on your phone
- Browsing the Internet
- Using applications on your phone, including playing games
- Using GPS (whether on your phone or on an entirely separate unit)
- Typing, reading, or sending text messages
Penalties for Using Your Phone While Driving
If a police officer catches you using your phone while driving, you will be faced with a fine. For multiple offenses, the amount of the fine increases. In San Marcos and New Braunfels, the fines increase with the number of offenses:
| San Marcos | New Braunfels | |
| 1st Offense | Up to $100 | Minimum $100 |
| 2nd Offense | Up to $250 | Minimum $200 |
| 3rd + Offenses | Up to $500 | Minimum $500 |
Texas law requires that the maximum fine a person can receive for 3 or more offenses is $500 for each violation.
Distractions don’t come just in the form of a cell phone. Changing the radio station or drinking a cup of coffee while driving can take your eyes off of the road. While distractions are everywhere, it’s important to remain focused on the road when you’re behind the wheel to protect yourself, your passengers, and others on the road.
If you’ve been injured in an automobile accident because of a distracted driver, contact the Kyle Law Firm servicing the San Marcos, New Braunfels, and Seguin, Texas areas for a free initial consultation. We are dedicated to providing you with the best legal counsel and advice.
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