| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to the creation of an offense for certain uses of a |
|
|
wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 545.425, Transportation Code, is amended |
|
|
by amending Subsections (b) and (b-1) and adding Subsection (c-1) |
|
|
to read as follows: |
|
|
(b) Except as provided by Subsections [Subsection] (c) and |
|
|
(c-1), an operator may not use a wireless communication device |
|
|
while operating a motor vehicle within a school crossing zone, as |
|
|
defined by Section 541.302, [Transportation Code,] unless: |
|
|
(1) the vehicle is stopped; or |
|
|
(2) the wireless communication device is used with a |
|
|
hands-free device. |
|
|
(b-1) A municipality, county, or other political |
|
|
subdivision that enforces Subsection (b) [this section] shall post |
|
|
a sign that complies with the standards described by this |
|
|
subsection at the entrance to each school crossing zone in the |
|
|
municipality, county, or other political subdivision. The |
|
|
department shall adopt standards that: |
|
|
(1) allow for a sign required to be posted under this |
|
|
subsection to be attached to an existing sign at a minimal cost; and |
|
|
(2) require that a sign required to be posted under |
|
|
this subsection inform an operator that: |
|
|
(A) the use of a wireless communication device is |
|
|
prohibited in the school crossing zone; and |
|
|
(B) the operator is subject to a fine if the |
|
|
operator uses a wireless communication device in the school |
|
|
crossing zone. |
|
|
(c-1) An operator stopped for a school bus as required by |
|
|
Section 545.066 may not use a wireless communication device while |
|
|
the school bus is receiving or discharging a student. |
|
|
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |