Texting and driving ban, a year later

AUSTIN (KXAN) - In 2010, 50 people lost their lives on Austin roads. That’s the lowest number in the Capital City in 16 years.

“I’m really happy. That’s a lot of lives saved,” said Austin’s Police Chief Art Acevedo .

Acevedo said the drop in traffic deaths can be attributed to three things:

• more DWI enforcement
• an emphasis on highway patrol
• fewer distracted drivers

It's been one year since Austin became one of handful of cities outlawing cell phone use for anything other than talking on the phone while driving.

“We know that 70 percent of people, when a law passes, will voluntarily comply, and we know that the data shows texting and driving is dangerous, and I think that is a component of why we’ve seen a 16-year low in fatalities,” Acevedo said.

But some drivers said they haven’t really seen much of a difference since Austin outlawed texting and driving.

“Tons of people text and drive,” said April Terrezas

“As much as I would like to see a transition or a change, I don’t really think I have,” said Selina Zamora Torres.

Torres said she doesn't think the law will make much of a difference until it goes even further. 

“What I'd like to see, maybe, because I’ve seen it in other cities is no cell phone, period,” said Torres.

Acevedo said he doesn’t see that happening locally anytime soon, but does think it’s on its way.

“I think that on a national level that’s where the laws are headed and sooner or later it will probably hit Texas as well,” Acevedo said.

Besides texting, the current law basically outlaws doing anything on your phone other than talking. If caught, it’s a Class C misdemeanor that carries a fine of up to $500.