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Cell Phone Laws

Daun Thompson — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 13:46:49 +0000

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

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Texas Fails to Pass a Texting Ban

Daun Thompson — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 04:34:26 +0000

How very disheartening it is that there will not be a texting and driving ban this legislative session in Texas. A bill that would have outlawed texting and driving statewide never even made it for a vote in the Texas Senate. The bill actually passed in the House but did not have enough votes (it was only short one vote) in the Senate. This bill would have banned texting and driving statewide. Now we have another two years to wait before another bill can be introduced. So, here we are, still texting in Texas.
Very sad, indeed, for those Texans who have lost loved ones due to distracted drivers. I have been following the progress of this bill like a hawk. And with so many testimonies and pleadings in Austin to push this law through, I had very high hopes that this would be the year.
On a positive note, many cities in Texas have created their own city ordinances regarding cell phone use while driving. While some cities only ban texting while driving, Austin and San Antonio are cities with a hands free city ordinance. Most of our larger cities do have an ordinance banning texting while driving, with exception of Dallas and Fort Worth.
Perhaps now that we will definitely have no state law regarding this issue, at least for the next two years, cities in Texas that do not already have a city ordinance banning cell phone use, will see how important it is and will implement one.
And, in the words of Forest Gump, “That’s about all I have to say about that.”
Until next week…
Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist
Texting in Texas – Comedy Defensive Driving

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The Cell Phone Laws in 13 States

Daun Thompson — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 05:48:49 +0000

Thirteen states prohibit drivers from using cell phones. And 37 states (including Texas) have an outright ban on phone use by inexperienced and teen drivers. But Texas is not among the 44 states that ban text messaging while driving. Several major Texas cities (not including Dallas or Fort Worth) have enacted ordinances (city) banning texting while driving. But there are still no state cell phone laws in Texas. Austin and San Antonio, as of January 1, have prohibited any cell phone use while driving.
It is reported that there were more than 95,000 distraction-related traffic crashes in Texas in 2013 that resulted in more than 18,000 serious injuries and more than 500 deaths, according to state transportation figures. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that more than 9 people are killed in the U.S. every day in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver. So, why is there no state law?
This biannual session, there is widespread support from powerful lobbyist groups. And this session will have dozens of people there, who have been directly impacted by the dangers of distracted driving, asking legislators to make it a law.
Texas’ state laws already make it illegal for anyone under 18 and in school zones to use cell phones. A study was done last year that proved an average of 19 lives could be saved each year by banning texting while driving, alone.
And the fiscally responsible measure that will save the state and its people lots of money from lost wages, property damage and lawsuits is yet another valid reason to make this irresponsible act illegal.
Until next week…
Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist
Cell Phone Laws – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Texting in America

Daun Thompson — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 17:02:28 +0000

Reading a Facebook post by comedienne, Jasmine Ellis made me realize how cell phone use is affecting all of us. She posted the she is “Aggravated by these Dallas drivers! How have I been rear ended twice in the last 30 days? And they actually say “I was looking down at my phone” and didn’t realize you stopped….. AT A STOP SIGN! You better thank God my bumper was there to keep your dumb (expletive) from rolling into the street!” Texting in America has to stop. We really need to evolve!

I realize I’m just bragging here, but I don’t text and drive. Honestly, I’ve tried it a few times and I could totally take out families, so I don’t do it. I’m not that coordinated. But, my teenage daughter has the ability to text while she’s not even looking at her phone. Now, that’s coordination! We were sitting at the kitchen table, having a serious conversation. She was looking me right in the eyes, and texting under the table at the same time! She calls it “multi-tasking.” I call it “grounded.” I think it’s just rude.

Since Texas is one of the few states that have no state laws on cell phone and texting use while driving, we are seeing that some cities have passed city ordinances banning their use. Denton, Texas has just recently passed one. Every two years bills regarding this issue are passed through the House, but are always vetoed. The latest bill, though, regarding a Texas statewide hands-free law was not vetoed. It has been said that the government shut down (bad timing) and other issues resulted in this important bill not being passed. Large cities like Dallas and even Fort Worth have no city ordinances.

37 states and DC ban all cell phone use by teen drivers. 18 states and DC ban any cell phone use for school bus drivers. To view a map of states against texting and driving, you can go to the link below. This site says that cell phones are responsible for one in four car accidents – and texting while driving is banned in most states. Twelve states and the District of Columbia don’t allow any handheld cell phone use while driving.
http://lifehacker.com/this-map-shows-state-laws-against-cell-phone-use-while-1469665547
The GHSA website (Governors Highway Safety Association) shows an actual chart, by state, of texting and hand held phone use. To view this chart, go to the link below. http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html

Hopefully, while we’re waiting patiently for Texas to pass a state law regarding this important issue, all cities will create a city ordinance of their own.

So, don’t text or talk on the cell phone while driving. It may save your life and the lives of those around you. Including Jasmine Ellis’ life, who is a gifted comedienne. You can check her out at https://facebook.com/jasmimeEmedia or or twitter @jasminneEmedia.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

Texting in America – ComedyDefensiveDriving.com

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