By a vote of 5-4, the Arlington, Texas city council made texting while driving within the city limits a crime. Despite lots of controversy over the proposal, drivers caught texting will now face a Class C Misdemeanor and a $200 fine. While the ordinance refers to texting generally, it also bans facebooking, tweeting, and emailing. In fact, the only activity permitted on the phone is talking. Drivers in Arlington will be provided warnings for the near future if caught texting in an effort to educate the public about the new ordinance.
I have blogged on the dangers of texting and driving many times in the past, and the dangers cannot be overstated. Just look at this video again if you need a reminder. One valid critique opponents of the no texting ordinance have put forward is how are cops supposed to differentiate scrolling for a phone number and texting? This critique, however, shows that the texting ban does not go far enough. Drivers cannot look at their phone and pay proper attention to the roadway at the same time. From a public safety perspective, whether you are texting or scrolling through a rolodex on your phone, the risks to the public are the same in terms of causing a severe car wreck.
The dangers of texting and driving are real. If you have been injured in a car wreck caused by a texting driver, call the Dallas and Austin car wreck attorneys at Wilson Trosclair & Lovins today at 214-484-1930.