OMG! Austin texting ban starts Friday

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Starting Friday, it is against the law in Austin for drivers to text and operate a motor vehicle - marking at least one mandatory New Year's resolution for those who are addicted to their smart phones.

The ban on texting, Tweeting, e-mailing, and surfing the Internet while driving comes after months of debate at Austin City Hall.

Motorists on New Year's Eve said they know about the law, but an unscientific test on Cesar Chavez Road in Downtown Austin showed more education may be needed.

In a spot check near Cesar Chavez Street and Lamar Boulevard on Thursday, KXAN counted 10 drivers typing something on their cell phones in a 15-minute period.

"A split second is all that it takes for you to look down and look up, and there's somebody walking in front of you," said Austin police officer Veneza Aguinaga.

Aguinaga acknowledged that it may be hard to enforce the law, but police will give a 30-day grace period to start handing out $500 tickets.

"The only other way for people to learn how dangerous it is, is for it to happen to them," she said.

Austin’s is the first citywide ban in the state. Eighteen states and the District of Columbia outlawed texting while driving, and a new Texas law already aims to stop drivers from using a cell phone in school zones.

The plan makes some exceptions, allowing you to:

• Text when stopped at a traffic light.
• Use the phone's navigation system if it's mounted in plain sight.
• Text in an emergency.

The new ban clarifies a vote taken in November on the issue and goes into effect Jan. 1.