Farmers Branch Passes Distracted Driving Ordinance
FARMERS BRANCH (CBSDFW.COM) - The City of Farmers Branch has taken a major step toward curbing distracted driving. City council members on Tuesday approved an ordinance that prohibits drivers from using wireless devices for text-based communications while behind the wheel.
Among activities now banned under the ordinance are reading and writing text messages and emails, posting or viewing comments on a variety of social media websites, using the internet, and using any reading-intensive app other than a voice-activated GPS navigation system.
City officials see this move as a necessary action in order to keep drivers and pedestrians safe within the city's limits. "The goal is to combine this ordinance with an education program," said Chief Sid Fuller with the Farmers Branch Police Department, "to modify driver behavior in Farmers Branch and create awareness of the dangers of texting while driving."
Fuller added that the ordinance alone will not solve the distracted driving problem, but he hopes that it is a step in the right direction.
Police are giving drivers a 90-day grace period in order for the public to become better educated on the details of the new ordinance. During this time, no citations will be issued.
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