Texting-while-driving ban now in effect in SA

[Chris]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/loc...day-958617.php

Drivers caught typing on their cell phones while behind the wheels of their cars now can expect to pay a fine.
The 90-day grace period that when into effect after the City Council's unanimous passage of a texting ban in October ended Saturday, police said.
Motorists pulled over for texting while driving will face fines up to $200, according to the ordinance.
San Antonio's new ordinance prohibits using a “hand-held mobile communication device to send, read or write a text message, view pictures or written text, whether transmitted by Internet or other electronic means, engage in gaming or any other use of the device, besides dialing telephone numbers or talking to another person, while operating a moving motor vehicle.”
The texting ban applies to drivers stopped in traffic, according to the ordinance. The ordinance prohibits drivers from using cell phones for anything besides calling — even when stopped at red lights. An exception exists for public safety personnel during the course of their official duties.
San Antonio is the third major Texas City — after El Paso and Austin — to ban texting while driving, according to a San Antonio Express-News tally.


Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/loc...#ixzz1BBswWal9

[RayAllen]

http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?...hlight=texting

[alton]

I still have not seen any posted signs entering the city that state "No texting while driving per city law" similar to the one placed at school zones for cell phones?

[txav8r]

The big scrolling txdot signs over 281 have a message about not texting while driving in SA. I think it says "Drive now, Text later"

[kkiel02]

Yeah all the big TxDot signs have it on IH35 and 410. If you mean the little yellow signs- I have not seen those yet.

[alton]

Here is the scenaro I am speaking of; a tourist coming from Oklahoma driving down 35 around 1604 south gets pulled over and cited for texting. If there is a TXDOT sign it would have an amber alert on it, not the no texting law. Where is it written that a city can pass a law and everyone driving through it must know all the laws that every city passes if they are not posted upon entering the city limits? We post signs like no hazardous loads on 1604 north/west why not add signs on the city of san antonio city limits signs that say no texting per city of san antonio? Some of your smaller cities post no commercial vehicles signs on the same post as there city limits sign. What if they didn't and the police officer told you too bad you are driving through our city you should know our laws? I don't mind the law I just think they need to post it.

[justahobby]

A lot of small towns don't allow U-turns nor do they post it. Not saying it's right, just saying that's the way it is.

[photek1051]

Well if any of you are going to el paso tx, you cannot talk on your cellphone while driving.

[chunkymonkey]

There are A LOT of city ordinances. There isn't enough signaled to post every ordinance a city like san Antonio can have. You can try using non-residency as a means of defense, but it won't be excusable.

[350gt]

Should just ban driving and talking on the cell completely. On my motorcycle today, I was almost side swiped twice by ppl on there phones. Thought nothing of it, as it is just a part of riding a bike. So I go home swap vehicles to take the family skating and the same thing, of course it was rush hour by then but everyone seemed to be on the **** PHONE!....