TEXAS BANS THE USE OF CELL PHONES USE IN SCHOOL ZONES | Dallas, Texas Personal Injury Attorney Blog

Although many cities had already enacted laws to prohibit the use of cell phones in school zones, effective September 1, 2009, the use of cellphones and wireless devices in school zones will be prohibited state wide. This law will prohibit all

No handset talking or texting while driving are allowed when the school zone is active.

Hands-free devices while driving and handset use WHILE STOPPED are allowed.

Calls in certain emergency situations are also allowed.

In addition, effective September 1, 2009, the following restrictions on the use of wireless devices take place statewide:

teenage drivers are prohibited from using wireless devices while driving. This includes a ban on talking on a cell phone, from sending or receiving text messaging and from sending or reading emailing while driving.

Learners permit holders are prohibited from using handheld cell phones in the first six months of driving.

School bus operators prohibited from using cell phones while driving if children are present.

About two-thirds of Texas teenagers surveyed said they have talked on a cell phone while driving in the past six months, according to the state Transportation Institute. More than half said they had read or sent text messages while driving. A 2007 study said cell phone use was among the primary causes of fatal car crashes among teens.