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