City of Austin Bans Handheld Electronics While Driving

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
08/28/2014 at 17:40 • Filed to: None

Adding to the no-texting-while-driving restriction, the new ordinance will outlaw the use of any handheld electronic device while driving. The new rules are set to go into effect January 1, 2015.

Austin City Council members voted unanimously Thursday to approve an ordinance prohibiting the use of portable electronic devices while driving or biking.

The proposed ordinance applies to cellphones, MP3 players, electronic games, messaging devices, and any other hand-held electronic device. The rules would make it illegal to use those gadgets while driving.

Council added an exception that allows drivers to use the devices when stopped at a light or stop sign, or if you are sitting in standstill traffic. ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! )

DISCUSSION (22)

qbeezy > ttyymmnn
08/28/2014 at 17:43

Wow you can not listen to music while riding a bike. Geez

mcseanerson > ttyymmnn
08/28/2014 at 17:45

How does this apply to passengers and/or GPS?

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > qbeezy
08/28/2014 at 17:45

I do that all the time, Most people dint even notice that I have headphones in. Also I use my phone as a GPS while biking, I cant hear the turn by turn directions without headphones when Im going 15-20mph

HammerheadFistpunch > ttyymmnn
08/28/2014 at 17:45

Utah just did similar. just a heads up; Not moving in a vehicle is not driving. i.e. at a stop you are not, technically, driving. Or so says the district judge in my area.

ttyymmnn > HammerheadFistpunch
08/28/2014 at 17:51

Same in Austin. At a stoplight? Text away. I don't drive and text, and I rarely drive and talk. But I do fiddle with a playlist from time to time. And talking on a handheld while on a bike? How do you even?

ttyymmnn > mcseanerson
08/28/2014 at 17:51

Don't know about GPS. I assume pax are allowed to use gadgets.

ttyymmnn > qbeezy
08/28/2014 at 17:52

I think you can, you just can't hold the device in your hand. I use the GPS on my phone for biking every day. But it's in a bracket on the handlebars. However, I never ride with headphones. I like to hear the cars that are trying to kill me.

HammerheadFistpunch > ttyymmnn
08/28/2014 at 17:52

talking on a bike? aint no big thang. but I ride alot.

ttyymmnn > HammerheadFistpunch
08/28/2014 at 17:54

As I replied to somebody else, I'd rather not have the distraction on a bike. I prefer to hear the cars that are trying to kill me.

HammerheadFistpunch > ttyymmnn
08/28/2014 at 17:58

my use is usually on a mountain bike away from things that can kill me other than the agents of FIAT.

T5Killer > ttyymmnn
08/28/2014 at 18:01

Albuquerque did this recently as well and IIRC Santa Fe did it last year.

burntartichoke > qbeezy
08/28/2014 at 18:02

Fear not! You can still ride with tunes!

Kinja'd!!!

But this might be in danger

Kinja'd!!!

ihm96 > ttyymmnn
08/28/2014 at 18:06

Phillys been like this for a while. I cant see any argument against it really

Chairman Kaga > ttyymmnn
08/28/2014 at 18:13

Know what I'd rather they have done? Require anyone driving in the city to pass a basic road manners and safety course. I know! Crazy!

and 100 more > ttyymmnn
08/28/2014 at 18:20

Hmm. I keep my phone mounted to my dash while I'm driving. I wonder if this skirts the "handheld" rule, since I'm not holding it.

qbeezy > burntartichoke
08/28/2014 at 18:58

i just scared the shit out of my dog laughing lololol

burntartichoke > qbeezy
08/28/2014 at 19:05

My work here is done lol

ttyymmnn > ihm96
08/28/2014 at 19:19

I'm not complaining. When I'm stuck behind somebody going 10 under in the fast lane, it's usually because they're on their phone.

ttyymmnn > and 100 more
08/28/2014 at 19:23

I would guess that as long as you aren't fiddling with it, you're good. They aren't about to ban dash-mounted GPS units.

ttyymmnn > Chairman Kaga
08/28/2014 at 19:24

What are you, a COMMUNIST?? This is TEXAS!! Land of the Free, Home of the Brave, and one other thing I can't remember.

Verdog ~ manual Bro, Bro - HellHawk Equipped > HammerheadFistpunch
08/28/2014 at 19:51

APD said vehicle must be in park. No stop and go/ rush hour usage.

So, we should be tax free based on the fees this will incurs, NO?

Verdog ~ manual Bro, Bro - HellHawk Equipped > ttyymmnn
08/28/2014 at 19:54

use period. Checking battery life.... Ticket, hitting Siri up (hate apple) with the shortcut.... Ticket, typing on GPS.... Yup.