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Texting While Driving in San Antonio, Tx; New Law
Topic Started: Jan 16 2011, 11:48 AM (6,124 Views)
iamgeo
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Big League

Quote:
 
SAFFE explains new texting while driving ban
Submitted by Staff on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 2:04am.

* News

North SAFFE Unit explains new law
Almost a month has passed since San Antonio’s texting while driving ban went into effect, but many drivers still have questions about what is and is not allowed under the new law. In an effort to address drivers’ concerns, the North SAFFE Unit recently released the following information:

“On Oct. 15 the San Antonio Police Department began implementing the 90-day grace period on the texting ban. During the grace period, only warning citations will be issued. The grace period lasts until Jan. 12, 2011.

The ordinance prohibits use of a hand-held mobile communication device such as a mobile phone or personal digital assistant to send, read or write a text message, view pictures or written text, engage in gaming or any other use of the device, besides dialing telephone numbers or talking to another person, while operating a moving motor vehicle.

An affirmative defense to prosecution exists if a hand-held mobile communication device is used:
1. while the vehicle is stopped, out of the moving lanes of the roadway;

2. strictly to engage in a telephone conversation, including dialing or deactivating the call;

3. as a global positioning or navigation system that is affixed to the vehicle;

4. to communicate with an emergency response operator, a fire department, a law enforcement agency, a hospital, a physician's office, or a health clinic regarding a medical or other emergency situation to prevent injury to a person or property;

5. in the reasonable belief that a person's life or safety is in immediate danger; or

6. solely in a voice-activated or other hands-free mode.

Conviction for offense after Jan. 12, 2011, shall be punishable by a fine of up to $200.

Conviction is not a moving violation and may not be made a part of a person's driving or insurance record.


The ordinance does not apply to public safety personnel performing their duties and may be enforced by non-SAPD officers authorized to issue traffic citations within the City of San Antonio, including school district officers.”


Number 3 is the one that bothers me.
I use the GPS feature on my phone a lot. I do not have it affixed to my car. I just hold it in my hand while driving.

Here is the PDF of the actual law
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yiffzer
Forgot His Manpurse

I understand the reason why they expect GPS devices to be affixed. Fumbling with it in your hands is similar to texting. It's best if you just velcro the device you have to the dash or something.

I personally never [affix my phone on anything]. I use my phone as my GPS navigator. I use it when it's safe to do so and I leave it in the dash when I'm done.
Edited by yiffzer, Jan 16 2011, 02:07 PM.
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Bad Bent
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Facetious Educated Donkey

Find a way to "affix" it while you are driving? Acquire a new skill of driving without the phone in your hand? :-/

I don't even have a cell phone so the point is moot. None the less I don't even look at my wife when I talk to her. Eyes on the road, period.
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yiffzer
Forgot His Manpurse

Bad Bent
Jan 16 2011, 02:07 PM
...I don't even look at my wife when I talk to her.
If taken out of context... :lol

Lucky for you, you can hear. I can't. I have to look at someone if we talk (or sign). :fon
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iamgeo
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yiffzer
Jan 16 2011, 02:04 PM
I understand the reason why they expect GPS devices to be affixed. Fumbling with it in your hands is similar to texting. It's best if you just velcro the device you have to the dash or something.

I personally never [affix my phone on anything]. I use my phone as my GPS navigator. I use it when it's safe to do so and I leave it in the dash when I'm done.
I have a phone cradle that attaches to the windshield. When using it this way I have to scoot up closer to the phone in order to really see the screen.This gets me in a position that is not really conducive to safe driving.
Even though the GPS has navigated a route it is not always the best way to go. I like to see all the other streets and usually find shortcuts. Thus saving me money.

I have been in the market for a GPS unit that has a large screen. Just not finding one that I can afford at this time.
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Bad Bent
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Facetious Educated Donkey

yiffzer
Jan 16 2011, 02:08 PM
Bad Bent
Jan 16 2011, 02:07 PM
...I don't even look at my wife when I talk to her.
If taken out of context... :lol
Lucky for you, you can hear. I can't. I have to look at someone if we talk (or sign). :fon
:thumb Good points.
.
Thanks for the reorientation. ;)
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Jezza
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Boost Junkie

Good for them! Unfortunately/Fortunately we dont have that law here in Jamaica. I think driving and talking on the cell phone without a handsfree device is illegal here though. Lots of people still do it ...
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Potter
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Col. Potter

i use my gps on the droid all the time i use a Bracket tron to hold it their since i use it for just about everything, i have the phone plunged into the stereo so if i make a long distance drive i got tunes via Pandora radio, Gps, and if anyone needs to get ahold of me they can. but i do not text. and rarely pick up the phone when i drive... unless its important.

i like PA cell phone law... they see you with it in your hand they will pull you over. and you will get a ticket.

The bracket tron holder like i have that clips on to the vent louvers was $12.... cheep insurance against Johnny law.
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superduty5.9
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Metro Defender

I think these laws are ridiculous. More laws are not a good thing. Less government is better, period! Let me guess it's not ok to text but it's perfectly fine to receive road h**d ^o) or whack it :D ?
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Jezza
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superduty5.9
Jan 16 2011, 06:10 PM
I think these laws are ridiculous. More laws are not a good thing. Less government is better, period! Let me guess it's not ok to text but it's perfectly fine to receive road h**d ^o) or whack it :D ?
The law is designed to increase safety on the road. But then you were joking so ignore this ...
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dayle1960
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Fastest Hampster EVER

Texting while driving is bad. It's way more harmful than daydreaming because your attention is totally focused on the phone instead of on the road. While daydreaming at least you are looking out the window and the reaction time is cut down considerably. I think talking on the phone with a bluetooth or speakerphone is OK, but while you have to look at a phone to text while driving you will be more apt to miss important signals for other drivers as conditions change.

DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE.
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Potter
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Col. Potter

superduty5.9
Jan 16 2011, 06:10 PM
I think these laws are ridiculous. More laws are not a good thing. Less government is better, period! Let me guess it's not ok to text but it's perfectly fine to receive road h**d ^o) or whack it :D ?
actually in the commonwealth of VA it is Illegal to give/receive oral sex... state trooper told me that one time. :lol

:shit of it is.... it's true... or it was idk that was a few years ago :news
Edited by Potter, Jan 16 2011, 08:17 PM.
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nerys
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Grr

I firmly believe texting and driving is equal to or worse than drinking and driving. at least the drunk is usually TRYING to stay on the road.

your not even LOOKING at the road when you text. bad bad news.

99% of the phones out their you can get a custom designed cradle to hold the phone.

I have a touch pro 2 smart phone and I LOVE the garmin software for GPS. bar none the absolutely best route calculation algorithm I have ever used!!

makes my 5" HD $400 Motorola weep :-) its that good.

I just mount on the windscreen but the suction cup sucks and the sun kills it so now I have a disk for the dash but the cup is gone so once I get a new one I should be ok to go (out of the sun so it should not degrade so fast)

I don't even like LOOKING at the GPS/Phone if I don't need to and only for a split second. with 1 eye I have HALF the over all field of view of you guys so its even worse for me :-)

HEY dollar tree has some REALLY NICE metal trays in black and silver. looks nice on the dash now I just have to secure it. no more stuff sliding along the dash :-)
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Deleted User
Deleted User

Potter, since you live in Virginia ( Guys, my apologies for any hijack.) maybe since we're on the subject of Sucky Vehicle Laws. Does Virginia still have that Stupid as Hell Anti Radar Detector Ban? If they do, does the Virginia State Police still Dilligently Enforce it? I know that California has a Radar Detector Ban too but just wondering. I remember when I got pulled in that Roanoke Scalehouse on I-81 MM150 I asked the officer and he said that if caught, your Radar Detector will be Confiscated Immediately. Is this still true?
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Potter
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Col. Potter

Richard Kaltenbach
Jan 16 2011, 10:24 PM
Potter, since you live in Virginia ( Guys, my apologies for any hijack.) maybe since we're on the subject of Sucky Vehicle Laws. Does Virginia still have that Stupid as Hell Anti Radar Detector Ban? If they do, does the Virginia State Police still Dilligently Enforce it? I know that California has a Radar Detector Ban too but just wondering. I remember when I got pulled in that Roanoke Scalehouse on I-81 MM150 I asked the officer and he said that if caught, your Radar Detector will be Confiscated Immediately. Is this still true?
Lol I know exactly where you got. Pulled over... I pass by it bout 2 3 times a month (don't go roanoke often but its in my area... sorta)

But yes they still have the stupid anti radar law... idk. Why the guns and in motion devices the state troopers use have your speed by time your detector blips, and even if its advertised as undetectable.... its not.

End thread jack..
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