Traffic Commission Recommends Partial Ban on Cell Phone Use
By: Kelly James
Updated: May 21, 2012
AMARILLO -- Amarillo could soon become the fourth city in Texas to ban handheld cell-phone use while driving.
The city's traffic commission yesterday voted to recommend such a ban.
It would basically be an extension of the school zone cell phone ban.
That would mean drivers would be prohibited from using any handheld device while operating a vehicle inside the city limits.
There would be exceptions though. Just like the school zone ban, emergency personnel would be exempt.
The traffic commission basically voted on four points in coming up with the proposal.
All eight commissioners agreed education should be a part of the ordinance.
A texting ban and handheld use while driving was also approved.
Commissioners however all voted against a total cell phone ban.
Traffic commission chairman DJ Stubben says it wasn't an easy decision.
Stubben says they are only a part of the process and the full city commission will have the ultimate say. But, not before getting more input from residents.
Stubben also says they looked at the cell phone use ban recently passed in Canyon and says they incorporated some of their ideas as well.
The next step will be crafting an actual ordinance to send to the city commission. That's expected to be done late next month.
The city's traffic commission yesterday voted to recommend such a ban.
It would basically be an extension of the school zone cell phone ban.
That would mean drivers would be prohibited from using any handheld device while operating a vehicle inside the city limits.
There would be exceptions though. Just like the school zone ban, emergency personnel would be exempt.
The traffic commission basically voted on four points in coming up with the proposal.
All eight commissioners agreed education should be a part of the ordinance.
A texting ban and handheld use while driving was also approved.
Commissioners however all voted against a total cell phone ban.
Traffic commission chairman DJ Stubben says it wasn't an easy decision.
Stubben says they are only a part of the process and the full city commission will have the ultimate say. But, not before getting more input from residents.
Stubben also says they looked at the cell phone use ban recently passed in Canyon and says they incorporated some of their ideas as well.
The next step will be crafting an actual ordinance to send to the city commission. That's expected to be done late next month.
