MISSOURI CITY, Texas -- Missouri City became the latest local city to ban texting while driving. The city council approved the ordinance Monday and joins West University and Galveston with the ban.
The regulation prohibits texting and cell phone application and Internet use, even when the vehicle is stopped or at a standstill. The maximum fine is $500. The use of GPS or calling on the phone is allowed.
West University’s ban started at the beginning of February, and so far, police have written one citation.
“It’s kind of hard to spot,” said Officer Michael Sierra. “You can do numerous things on a cell phone. You could be doing GPS. It’s hard to catch people in the act, unless they’re at a standstill or at a stop sign.”
A motorist can also refuse to show an officer a cell phone, Sierra said.
“Then it comes down to his word against mine,” he said.
Missouri City Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald agreed actual tickets are likely to be low.
He said cities and police departments are more interested in awareness and behavior change.
“It’s not what you’re going to see ticket-wise, it’s what it prevents and if it saves one life, isn’t it worth it,” he said.
A recent Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration study showed the average driver spends 4.6 seconds looking at a text message. At 55 mph, you can travel the length of a football field in that time.
