TomMar
Retired Texas-South Chapter Leader
Travel Warning to everyone that may be driving through San Antonio or Austin. I have not seen it posted anywhere but both cities recently passed laws concerning the use of cell phones for any reason while driving. Hand held phones or other electronic devices, cannot be used in either of these cities while driving. I know Austin has the regulation stating the officer only has to see you looking at it and they consider it "distracted". San Antonio follows the same idea. Both cities are very serious about this and tickets for the first offence have been ~$250. Here is the text for the Austin web site with a notice on San Antonio the site. Be aware ! !
Austin is a hands-free city
A new City of Austin ordinance prohibits the use of all electronic hand-held devices while operating a vehicle or bicycle.
To avoid fines up to $500, put your phone away or consider using a hands-free system such as Bluetooth or headphones, or an affixed GPS system.
The Austin City Council adopted Ordinance No. 20140828-041 amending section 12-1-34 of the City Code to prohibit the use of portable electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle or bicycle. This law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2015.
Austin is leading the state of Texas in the effort to refocus drivers on the task of driving. The hands-free initiative aims to increase safety by decreasing distracted driving in Austin.
Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving and all distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety.Hands free systems are okay
San Antonio Hands Free law
Under the new San Antonio law, motorists are barred from holding the devices to make phone calls, text, use email, access the Internet, play games as well as “other use of the device.” Unlike the Austin ordinance, drivers are barred from using smartphones and similar devices while temporarily stopped in traffic, as in at a red light.
Texas, which places no restrictions on adult drivers’ use of personal electronics, does bar drivers under age 18 from using wireless communications devices. It is among the dwindling numbers of states without a texting ban affecting all motorists.
Austin is a hands-free city
A new City of Austin ordinance prohibits the use of all electronic hand-held devices while operating a vehicle or bicycle.
To avoid fines up to $500, put your phone away or consider using a hands-free system such as Bluetooth or headphones, or an affixed GPS system.
The Austin City Council adopted Ordinance No. 20140828-041 amending section 12-1-34 of the City Code to prohibit the use of portable electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle or bicycle. This law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2015.
Austin is leading the state of Texas in the effort to refocus drivers on the task of driving. The hands-free initiative aims to increase safety by decreasing distracted driving in Austin.
Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving and all distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety.Hands free systems are okay
San Antonio Hands Free law
Under the new San Antonio law, motorists are barred from holding the devices to make phone calls, text, use email, access the Internet, play games as well as “other use of the device.” Unlike the Austin ordinance, drivers are barred from using smartphones and similar devices while temporarily stopped in traffic, as in at a red light.
Texas, which places no restrictions on adult drivers’ use of personal electronics, does bar drivers under age 18 from using wireless communications devices. It is among the dwindling numbers of states without a texting ban affecting all motorists.