Baytown weighs statewide approach to distracted driving
Baytown officials describe a lack of local rules beyond school zones for distracted driving. Mayor Stephen DonCarlos supports a uniform statewide standard, while Lt. Steve Dorris notes few crash investigations list cell phone use as a factor. Police advocate for Texas legislation to curb texting while driving.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Houston-area
Baytown
Stephen DonCarlos
Steve Dorris
Dorris
Keith Dougherty
Aaron Crowell
Baytown Municipal Police Association
Texas Municipal Police Association
Sugar Land bans driving with any portable devices in effect
Sugar Land city council approved a 5 to 2 vote to bar use of any portable electronic device while driving with fines up to 500 dollars. The ordinance takes effect March 20 after a 90 day grace period making Sugar Land the first Fort Bend County city to enact such a rule. Emergency calls allowed. Some council members urged waiting for a statewide law.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sugar Land City
Sugar Land
Fort Bend
Amy Mitchell
Mont Belvieu approves hands free driving ordinance
Mont Belvieu council adopted a citywide ban on using wireless devices while driving on public roads or school property after a six month education period. Exemptions include GPS use, emergency vehicles, FCC radio operations, parked vehicles, and emergency calls. Police say citations will follow enforcement with focus on drivers in the act.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mont Belvieu
Nathan Watkins
Police Department
Virgil Blasdel
Blasdel
FCC
Talk Text Crash awareness messaging in April by TxDOT
The Texas Department of Transportation promotes Talk Text Crash during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April. It cites 100,000 plus Texas crashes yearly from distracted driving and that 38 percent of drivers talk on a phone while driving while 21 percent read or send texts. It notes 4.6 seconds eyes off road at 55 mph equaling 100 yards and that 1 in 4 crashes involve distraction. Texting raises crash risk and age groups 25 and 45 show higher rates.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Texas Department of Transportation
Texas
Mixed reactions to Texas texting while driving ban bills HB 62 SB 31
Local lawmakers react to proposed statewide texting while driving legislation. House members Briscoe Cain Mary Ann Perez and Wayne Faircloth weigh in along with Senate voices Sylvia Garcia Brandon Creighton and John Whitmire. Responses vary from support to nonresponse.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
House
Senate
Brandon Waltens
Cain
Mary Ann Perez
Wayne Faircloth
Sylvia Garcia
Texas
Brandon Creighton
John Whitmire
Texas texting while driving bill eyed by lawmakers
A proposed law restricting texting and phone use while driving would impose a $25 to $99 fine for a first offense and $100 to $200 for repeat offenses, with no license points. supporters say it could save lives, citing Texas A&M and State Farm polls showing public backing and a ballot measure showing strong support.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Craddick
Texas A&m University
State Farm Insurance
Beaman Floyd
Texas Coalition For Affordable Insurance Solutions
Transportation bill draws broad support at hearing
The hearing resembled a pep rally with 12 speakers in favor while one non opponent raised concerns about Class C fines harming low income individuals. Emily Gerrick of Texas Fair Defense Project warned of debt and jail risk for marginalized drivers. Dozens wrote support from medical, law enforcement, insurance and energy sectors. Justin Neumann of Encanna Oil and Gas cited rural enforcement gaps and a 54 percent drop in accidents after banning use of electronic devices. Two written opponents appeared.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Transportation Committee
Emily Gerrick
Texas Fair Defense Project
Justin Neumann
Encanna Oil and Gas
Texas
Senate hearing on SB 31 mirrors HB 62 fate
The House Transportation Committee backs the measure but not yet ensuring passage. Craddick has filed the bill in four consecutive sessions with past House support but Senate rejection or gubernatorial veto in prior years. SB 31 by Senator Judith Zaffirini will face a public hearing in the Senate State Affairs Committee Monday.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
House Transportation Committee
Craddick
House of Representatives
House
Senate
Rick Perry
Judith Zaffirini
D- Laredo
Senate State Affairs Committee
Texas hearing on distracted driving bill draws mixed testimony
Thursday's hearing featured supporters and opponents as senators weighed a bill targeting driver distraction. Critics warned the law could enable pretext stops, while proponents argued it would be enforceable and clarify how electronic devices are handled during stops. Witnesses noted police discretion and reliance on officer testimony in enforcement.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Senfronia Thompson
Houston
Kevin Madison
Central
Texas
Craddick
Gene Wu
D-Houston
Noel Johnson
Texas Municipal Police Association
Also Mentioned on This Page
Txdot
Matt Hollis
Matt.hall
Laredo
Tom Craddock
Midland
Greg Abbott
Chambers County
Briscoe Cain
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