Posted on 08/25/2008 8:31:41 AM PDT by weegee
Despite the warning signs placed near West University Elementary School, two drivers were caught by surprise this morning as police began enforcing a new ordinance banning cell phone use in the school zone.
Parents who were bringing children for the first day of classes praised the new law, which prohibits the use of cell phones or other electronic devices during one-hour periods in the morning and afternoon....
The ban is in effect from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Violators could be liable for a fine of up to $200 for the first offense and up to $500 for repeat offenses.
Officer Merle Stewart issued a warning to a man who was using a BlackBerry while driving in the school zone in a silver Mercedes.
"It was a courtesy, and next time through, it'll be a ticket," she said.
"I saw it in his hand and I saw him manipulate it," Stewart said. "It surprised me because he saw me and he didn't put it down until I made him roll down the window. So he legitimately may not have been aware, but with the signs and everything, he should have."
Deily said the community has been supportive and he believes others will adopt such bans in this area and throughout Texas.
"Most people I talk to say, 'Well, why don't we do this statewide?' I have the same question," Deily said. "I think it's going to be a slow process."
"It's just what's coming," he said. "You get too many reports of accidents caused by cell phone use, and it doesn't necessarily have to be in a school zone."
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
Houston PING
Gosh, I’m so glad that our government looks out for us like this so that we don’t have to worry about personal responsibility. :eyeroll:
I tried to find the ordinence online. There is nothing about that street sign that says you must be driving a car or can even use a cellphone between those hours sitting in your driver’s seat while PARKED at the curb.
I am against cellphone driving but do not see the point of making it a “time/location” based infraction. Except incrementalism (slowly expanding the time and place it is enforced).
I’m on 24 hour emergency call for a public utility. If I get a call, I’m answering it. There better be exemptions for people in my position. Anyway, the law is stoopid! But, then again, taking one’s attention away from driving is pretty stoopid too!
Now, if they would just ban it’s use in a car while driving. I really get scared out there driving with these people on the road. They are completely oblivious to what is going around them.
I have to agree that the law only makes sense if it is limited to cell phone while driving. That’s a matter of public safety since yapping away on one of those is just as bad an impairment as drunkenness while behind the wheel. That’s no longer a matter of personal freedom when you’re endangering the lives of others. If the phone is used in a parked car or while walking down the public sidewalk, however, it would be absurd to issue a ticket in such a case.
Double the penalties and offer a $50 voucher to buy a hands-free device. Excuses gone.
The socialists are firmly in control...
So a parent gets a phone call right after dropping off their kid-o at the local socialist indoctrination day-camp called a public school, and answers it because it his/her office... and gets a ticket for using a cell phone in a “school zone”... nice.
Kind of like the instant criminals that were made when the “gun-free school zones” were created - outlawing firearms within a certain distance of school property - instantly making those who may have lived next door to a school felons....even if they had lived their for many years - and even if the school was built after they lived there...
I tried to find the ordinence online.
City Ordinance 1868 hasn’t been codified according to what I find...... One article I saw a question was asked of the Mayor regarding taking emergency calls and he said that the driver should pull over and park to do that.
Meetings/Agenda
http://www.westu.org/minutes.asp?menuid=10397&sub1menuid=10422&year=12556
Code of Ordinances..City
http://www.municode.com/Resources/gateway.asp?pid=14072&sid=43
Bingo !
When the a-holes passed the seat belt law, it was promised that no one would ever be ticketed just for that. Now it's "Click it or ticket !"
I didn’t say don’t use your phone in your car. I said only while driving. The people I see driving with a cell glued to their ear are really dangerous. They are not concentrating on their driving at all.
I am only saying while driving. That’s the point. They don’t even know the speed they are going and they drive into other peoples lanes; miss lights and a host of other things that could turn into accidents.
The cop isn't thinking very clearly. How could the driver have seen the signs, if he was busy reading his emails.
You have a brake pedal and a steering wheel. Pull over and park while you chat about the 'emergency'.
Or spring for $15 for a hands-free device at Wal-Mart.
No Hablah that signage...
Besides...I use an earbud...No way can they makea violation stick with that being used...
Seems to me they want to see how far they can push us...
Never ends does it???
That’s egg ackley what I do. But when a call comes in, I answer. If I’m in a school zone,,,, I’ll still answer. I have to. We’re talkin’ public safety.
And, “chat about the ‘emergency’.”? Do you know how dumb that sounds? Sheesh!
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