It is quite shocking to me that not all states in our grand nation have a ban regarding cell phone use while driving. Only 14 states and D.C. ban talking on a hand-held cell phone, while 37 states and D.C. ban the use of all cell phones by novice drivers. And text messaging while driving (for all drivers) is banned in 46 states and D.C. Novice drivers are banned from texting in only two states (Missouri and Texas). Most school bus drivers are banned from texting and using hand-help cell phones in most states as well. Where there are no state laws in place, some states do have city ordinances restricting cell phone use to some degree. Arizona and Montana apparently have no cell phone laws in place, whatsoever.
Where I live in North Texas, there are only 16 cities that I am aware of that have passed a city ordinance banning cell phone use while driving (Arlington, Grand Prairie, Denton, Watauga, Little Elm, Hickory Creek, Bedford, Euless, Hurst, Highland Park, University Park, Farmers Branch, Addison, Highland Park, University Park, Rowlett and Sunnyvale). There are likely other cities beyond North Texas that have passed ordinances that I am not aware of, but I do know that Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, Houston and Amarillo definitely have bans. Only two of these five cities are completely hands free city ordinances (Austin and San Antonio), while the others only ban texting or viewing your phone while driving.
Again, while there may be more cities that have joined in, now, this is the most current list that I am aware of. How many cities are you aware of in your great state that ban cell phone use while driving?
While I prefer my tax dollars not be used to fund the policing (or babysitting) of drivers who cannot put their phones down. And I would like to see their resources being used to control crime. I would hope that all states eventually come together and create a federal law banning any major distractions while driving (anything that takes your eyes off of the road long enough to cause a crash).
Until next week…
Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist
Cell Phone Laws – Comedy Defensive Driving