Cell-phone ban proposed: Official focuses on drivers in school ...

Drivers caught making calls or texting on cell phones in a school zone could be fined $200 under a proposed city ordinance.

[Whatever]

Rachel the Three Legged Monkey party girl is trying to divert attention from her and her upcoming forgery trial that is if she ever stops changing attorneys.

[in town]

Why do they not make it a law that you need a hands free device every where? Everyday you see people driving down the road texting and talking and not even paying attention to what is going on around them. Ft Bliss has this policy and they do not have problems there.

[Ditto]

in town wrote:

Why do they not make it a law that you need a hands free device every where? Everyday you see people driving down the road texting and talking and not even paying attention to what is going on around them. Ft Bliss has this policy and they do not have problems there.

Cell phones are a distraction wherever they are being used; in a car, in a restaurant, walking down the street, etc. Why take all of the time and effort to make them illegal just in school zones? It's like telling an alcoholic they can't drink between l:12 p.m. and 1:17 p.m. It would be a bit of help for a few minutes. Why not tackle the whole problem at once and prohibit them from being used while driving, period.

[Agree]

At first I was going to post a snide remark about how this is just another money grab by the city but after some careful consideration I am in favor of it because as previous posters have said cell phones are a distraction everywhere especially in school zones where you have parents using the school zone as a park-and-drop-off zone which is a violation right there. Then their kid gets out of the car and darts into oncoming traffic. If a driver is texting at that moment it is a tragedy in the making. We must always be vigilant drivers especially in school zones and parents should continue to hammer home the mantra to use the crosswalk and look both ways because the driver may not be looking out for you.

[keepyourhandsont hewheel]

It's about time, but why only in school zones, and what about eating and putting on makeup??

[Rey]

If you are going to ban cell phones, then ban them.

I am so sick of hearing, for the children. What about the rest of us ? The children are being used as an emotinal tool to justify everything.

[Taco]

Why limit it to school zones? How about city-wide?

[Ana]

This is probably a good idea even though it will be an annoyance. However, better deal with an annoyance than deal with a tragedy. www.dimequecrees.com

[eptccc]

ok fine but wht if we see u doing it and or cop's and sheriffs,, ha wht then does tht apply 2 u guy's as well

[PatriotMissile]

DO IT!! Then extend it to the rest of the county! You people are dangerous enough without using your cell phones while driving. No one's life is worth your entertainment. That text message / call can wait five minutes for you to get to your destination. What did you people do ten years ago when cell phones were a commodity and you couldn't just randomly make phone calls between the house and the office?? You dealt with it.

[drive right]

Your responses should be about phone calling, not name calling. (Sorry you feel that way about Rachel.) I do agree with not eating and not putting on make-up while driving--it is time to start paying attention to the real task at hand. Driving is hazardous enough.

[Dallas]

Great idea, I hope that this will be enforced soon. Most of Texas has already gone foward with this ordinance.

[Dallas]

Agreed, this should be enforced for everyone; city wide, county wide, law enforcement, and school zones.

[I Said It]

There should be a ban on using the phone while driving PERIOD! If it's a threat in a school zone,what dummy really thinks that talking while driving is less of a threat anywhere on our city streets.I have on countless occasions had to blow my horn or otherwise avoid a potential accident while drivers were preoccupied with their conversation.

[El Pasoan]

I too would prefer to see the ban extended to city-wide. I'm guilty myself, from time to time, of tapping my way to a number to dial (I have a hands-free). I know that the couple of seconds of distraction are all it takes. And while I shouldn't need a law to make me pull over and dial...I guess I do. Those who text while driving, with their eyes off the road for long periods, are really dangerous. The ban should be comprehensive, and it should come with stiff fines.

[ebe]

I really like this Bill to Pass Legislative.

[Big Dog]

I have seen personnel that stop traffic, holding up their stop sign, and using their cell phone at the same time.

[roger]

Like most of the poster's, i agree! lets ban cell phone usage while driving. Leave it to Rachael to pick at the problem a little at a time and waste more tax dollars. Vote on a city wide ban and get it over with, PERIOD!!!

[EPCynic]

Exactly how many kids have been injured by drivers on cell phones? One, none? It's just another nanny state solution to a problem that doesn't exist. But hey let's give the cops one more way to hassle us and generate revenue because "its for the children." Eventually those children will grow up and damn us for all the bull**** we passed in their name.

[Tom]

Just ban cell phone use all together while operating a motor vehicle.A phone call is not worth a life,be it an adult or child.Don't put out one regulation and then add and add.It wastes time and would get out the message loud and clear without any loopholes.