Abilene City Council members will hear a presentation on the “Use of Wireless Communications While Driving” during their meeting on Thursday.
They’re holding a discussion in light of TxDOT’s National Distracted Driving Awareness month which is designed to get communities talking about the consequences of texting while driving.
The City of Abilene reports a 2% decrease in the total number of traffic accidents from 2011 to 2015, but they also report a 125% increase in the number of fatal crashes involving citizens ages 8 to 18 in the same time period. There has been a 138% increase in the number of citizens killed in these crashes as well.
The City says it’s hard to directly link distracted driving to this increase in fatalities because distracted driving statistics are attributed to drivers’ admission to the act, and no admissions can come from the deceased.
An ordinance has been drafted to show the language a Texting While Driving ban might include if it is discussed further.
“An operator of a motor vehicle commits an offense if the operator uses a handheld wireless communication device to read, write, or send a text-based communication while operating a motor vehicle on a public roadway.”
“It is a defense to prosecution of an offense under this Article if use of the handheld wireless communication device is performed: (1) While the vehicle is stopped, out of the moving lanes of the public roadway; (2) Strictly to engage in a telephone conversation, including dialing or deactivating the call; (3) Solely as a global positioning or navigation system; (4) To communicate with an emergency response operator, a fire department, a law enforcement agency, a hospital, physician’s office, or health clinic regarding a medical or other bona fide emergency ; (5) In the reasonable belief that a person’s life or safety is in immediate danger; or (6) Solely in a voice-activated or other hands-free mode.”
Thursday’s presentation is just a discussion, and no decisions will be made regarding a Texting and Driving Ordinance.
(Information from BigCountryHomepage.com)
