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Texas Text Messaging – Distracted Driver Laws
If you are new to Texas or have just gotten your driver’s license and you love your smartphone, then you need to know the text messaging and distracted driver laws in the state. In the Lone Star State, there is no state-wide prohibition on cell phone or texting except for drivers in school zones, and novice drivers.
But there are some cities like Amarillo, Austin, El Paso and others where there are cell phone and texting prohibitions based on local ordinances.
These are the two distracted driving laws in effect in the state:
- Teen drivers are not allowed to use cell phones
- All drivers in school crossing zones cannot use hand held phones.
And here are the detailed current prohibitions:
- Drivers under the age of 18 are not allowed to use wireless communications devices at all (calling or texting)
- Learners permit holders cannot use handheld cell phones until the time they have completed the first six months of driving
- School bus drivers cannot use cell phones while driving if there are children riding in the bus
- Drivers of all motor vehicles are not allowed to use handheld devices in school crossing zones.
Some Texas Towns Ban Cell Phone Use
Even if there is no state level law, certain local municipalities have passed statutes directed at the use of cell phones while driving.
- In the city of Amarillo, the use of electronic devices while driving is banned
- In Stephenville, motorists cannot text message or use cell phones while driving
- In El Paso too, drivers are prohibited from texting and talking on cell phones while driving
- In McAllen drivers are banned from text messaging and browsing the internet while behind the wheel
- Alvin and Burnet have completely banned texting and cell phone use while driving through school zones
- The cities of San Antonio and Missouri City have also issued a ban on texting while driving.
This is the present state of text messaging and distracted driver laws in Texas.
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