Driving While Intexticated

Dylan Bourne, Contributor
May 31, 2009
Filed under Uncategorized

Contributed by Dylan Bourne

On Dec. 1, Plano Police started issuing fines of up to $200 to drivers who violate the new state law which prohibits the use of cell phones and texting while driving through a school zone.

“I think that this law is a good idea,” senior Breanna Phelps said. “When you are on the phone while you are driving, you are not really focused on the road and you could easily hit a kid if they ran out in front of your car.”

Although the law took effect in September, Plano Police have only been issuing warning citations to violators of the law. On Dec.1, this educational period stopped.

Ever since the law was enacted, the city has been busy installing 750 signs in 61 different school zones.

“It is good to see that the City of Plano is taking a step in the right direction towards having safer school zones,” senior Sam Snelling said.

Although many are quick to agree with the new law, some students believe that the $200 fine is a bit extreme.

“I think getting fined $200 is a bit too much for simply being on the phone while driving through a school zone,” senior Chandler Anderson said. “I think it should be less, but I guess the city of Plano is just trying to show that they are serious about the safety of the kids.”

Although the law has banned the use of hand held communication devices, everyone can still use hands-free devices to talk on the phone.

“I think the law was made perfectly,” Phelps said. “If you are really having a crisis and you must make a call while in the school zone, you can use a hands-free device like an earpiece to make the call.”

The law states that if the car is stopped in a school zone, the driver may use their hand held communication device. Emergency 911 calls are also exempt from the ban.

“I like knowing that the City of Plano is trying to make things safer for us,” Anderson said. “I have a younger sister that is also going to school in the PISD area, so it is good to know that she is safe around her school.”

With this new ban, Plano will be joining several other North Texas cities, including Dallas, Duncanville, Highland Park and University Park, which have recently enacted similar bans.

According to the PISD website, they are hoping this new ban will cause drivers to be much more aware of their surroundings while they are in school zones.

“People might complain about the fines,” Snelling said. “But if you stop and think about it, having some small and unimportant conversation is not worth hitting a child over.”