There is no statewide ban on texting while driving in Texas, but it's becoming increasingly clear among municipal governments that there is a risk among motorists who are on their cell phones while driving. Drivers who don't heed local ordinances regulating the practice could find themselves in need of a Texas driving school if they receive too many tickets, as well.
The problem is that while hands-free devices make it somewhat safer for drivers to have conversations while they travel, there are few such devices in place for text messaging. Some car magazines have found that those who use their cell phones while driving have diminished capabilities similar to drivers who are extremely intoxicated.
The consequences can be devastating. Individual stories around the state highlight the loss in families when members lose their life as a result of another driver's decision to text while driving. Statewide, the statistics from the Department of Transportation show that some 17,000 accident reports list cell phone use as a partial or full factor in causing the crash. 167 Texans have died in these collisions, according to a KBTX report.
Sobering reports like these have led to cities like Austin, Dallas and Galveston to ban driving while texting within city limits. Smaller Texas municipalities have also passed similar ordinances, and more are considering legislation in the wake of individual accidents and the loss of life that can occur.
Residents may not have to worry about interstate travel as much as those who live in the Northeast, where bans in New York and Pennsylvania are commonplace. However, even the federal government has issued restrictions on interstate truckers and other travelers banning the practice.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to keep track of which jurisdictions have laws against texting and which don't. Since more than half the states don't have laws in place, county and local governments have acted independently to do so. That can cause problems for drivers who otherwise wouldn't need Texas driving schools, but who may face out-of-state tickets while making road trips or using rental cars.
More importantly, tractor trailer drivers as well as school bus drivers have restrictions on text messaging. School bus drivers may not use their cell phones or other devices for texting if they have occupants 17 years old or younger, and tractor trailer drivers are unable to text at all while operating their vehicles. The rules also apply to drivers of buses for adults, and are a result of federal regulations put in place by President Obama. While the state Department of Public Safety is currently creating policy on how to enforce the new rules, they are committed to complying with the laws.
The safest choice, then, might just be abstinence. Although the laws have been established in a piecemeal fashion, the safety risks and the potential for costly tickets that come from texting while driving tend to outweigh the benefits of sending short messages while in the car.