Statewide Cellphone Ban Takes Effect

By Bill Zeeble, KERA News

Dallas, TX –

Beginning September 1st, you cannot legally drive in a Texas school zone while on your cell phone. There are only a few exceptions. KERA's Bill Zeeble has more.

The trend of cell phones bans in active Texas school zones had been growing city to city in recent years. But thanks to the lawmakers in Austin this past legislative session, the ban immediately goes statewide Tuesday.

It now becomes illegal to use a cell phone in a school zone, unless you have a hands free device, you're making an emergency call, or the vehicle is completely stopped. City's wishing to enforce the law though have to post signs at the beginning of school zones warning against wireless devices, and that violators face fines.

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