Electronic Device Ban in Austin Passed

[S2000-18]

So today the city council passed a no electronics ban for cars and bikes. I wanted to see how you guys felt about it.

It goes into effect at the beginning of next year. From my understanding of what I'm reading, you can only talk on the phone while driving if you have a headset or handsfree in the car. If you don't, you need to be parked or on the shoulder or in complete standstill traffic. You also can't use any other devices including a GPS unless it is built into the car.

The GPS thing kind of irks me because it really seems like discrimination. Not everyone can afford a built in GPS or like the S2000, wasn't available in the US with one.

I have a GPS that is hands free and integrates hands free with the phone so they are basically discriminating based on the mount. If you ask me, someone reading a map is much more dangerous than using a GPS.

Again, what are your thoughts? Do you think I am interpreting it incorrectly? Legal views?

I know Californians are used to things like this but as a born and raised Texan, it's hard to swallow.

http://kxan.com/2014/08/27/cellphone-ban-for-austin-drivers-heads-to-vote/

[RedCelica]

Good for them. People who are talking on the cell phone while driving are always the ones I spot from half a mile off, driving like asses and not paying attention.

[zeroptzero]

We've had those regulations for a while now and I thought ours were really strict, but the GPS restriction sounds terrible and it does discriminate. Our regs don't list GPS as a restriction. A built in GPS is no more safer than an aftermarket unit, I've had one for years on my daily driver and it isn't any less distracting than an aftermarket unit that I have in my S2000.

[RedRacket]

I see both sides of the GPS thing. Screwing around with punching in addresses and whatnot is pretty much the same as texting on a phone. If they had a clause that said it's ok to have it, but the driver can't F with it while you're moving, then I think that would be ok. Most road trips that I take requiring GPS usually include more than just me, so the copilot can punch the buttons.

Now, as far as phones and texting go, I am 100% ok with that. Too many people take piloting a two ton missile at 75mph as a secondary task to their REALLY important conversation. Not crashing is way more important than that text to Jenny about that super awesome sale at the shoe store.

[tukatz]

My guess is that the key is hand-held. If you use a smart phone or Garmin or such for navigation and have it 'mounted' in some fashion and simply look at it or listen to it to get directions, you are not operating it. If, however, you pick it up to see the map or to enter an address you are operating it and it has become hand-held. I could be wrong and Austin is slightly to the left of Karl Marx so who knows. I'm sure some lawyers are going to have fun defending against this one.

[kgf3076]

Almost every state has restrictions on use of cell phones while driving. Doesn't stop the really stupid people but it does make it easier to complicate their lives when they receive a ticket for holding the phone and "driving". All of the DMV area require hands-free systems to use a phone while in motion, not that it makes it safer but at least (theoretically) they have one hand on the wheel (the other one is either holding a coffee cup, the newspaper, a book, or attempting (for some people) to apply makeup.)

[omniruss]

Revolt. Everyone get maps and try to read them while driving. As the OP states. Is that illegal?

[Derek White]

Revolt. Everyone get maps and try to read them while driving. As the OP states. Is that illegal?

I've seen people reading newspapers while cruising down I-10, why not maps?

[s2kx2]

I don't talk on the phone while driving. Ever. The GPS ban they can shove that where the sun don't shine. Enter the address before driving and go. Mine is mounted with a Modifry bracket and its not going anywhere. Call me a "Scoff-law" I don't care and I will fracture this law always!

[Geo02s2k]

Technically having a GPS (or phone) mounted to the windshield is illegal in Texas as well, but I've never had a problem. I'm sure that as long as you aren't physically interacting with the device, then it isn't illegal. It is dangerous to use these things while moving, but I've always felt that the distracted driving laws that are already on the books should be sufficient to cover this stuff.

[Rocketman]

What's a GPS?

[zeroptzero]

I don't talk on the phone while driving. Ever. The GPS ban they can shove that where the sun don't shine. Enter the address before driving and go. Mine is mounted with a Modifry bracket and its not going anywhere. Call me a "Scoff-law" I don't care and I will fracture this law always!

I support that 100%. Don't feel bad I am a scoff-law in a certain U.S. state, lol

[omniruss]

I support that 100%. Don't feel bad I am a scoff-law in a certain U.S. state, lol

You never paid that ticket eh?

[zeroptzero]

You never paid that ticket eh?

Nope

[Vanishing Point]

Just living up to their motto, "Keeping Austin weird".