Coming soon from your concerned Austin City Council-a ban on texting while driving + 3 foot bicyclists buffer zone (condo, college)

[love roses]

I say yes to the video. It's graphic, but sometimes I think a good jolt of reality can be useful. For instance, when I was just starting high school a few of our classmates were involved in a drunk driving accident. One of them was killed and another paralyzed. They put the wrecked car on display right in the middle of town and I can tell you that there were a lot of teens shocked into not driving drunk.

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

Not looking at the video. I've seen enough in my life first-hand, no video necessary.

I'm glad they made it a law. Seriously, what the hell is wrong with people? Doing ANYTHING other than keeping your attention on the road and what is going on is CRAZY.

disclaimer: denies all past craziness

[mimimomx3]

Banning texting is a great idea. All cell phone use, too. And radios. And passengers. Ban all distractions.

[satxguero]

Originally Posted by oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots

I'm glad they made it a law.

Both of these proposals are up for consideration on this Thursdays Council meeting, so they are not officially law yet. The violations would likely be Class C misdemeanors-which will carry a fine of up to $500 and can be appealed in Municipal Court.

[KWPN]

State Cell Phone Driving Laws

[verybadgnome]

I think the 3 foot rule also applies to pedestrians so I'm assuming that is for areas w/o sidewalks.

I travel a lot on Old San Antonio Road and motorists there don't seem to have a problem going into the opposing lane to pass me. As long as they check the road ahead that is a safer situation than staying in the lane and passing within 3' of a cyclists/pedestrian.

Why the need for such a law anyway? One there is a minority out there who like to "buzz" cyclists in order to demonstrate that they are riding on "their road." Then we have those pick ups with the extra long side mirrors that will still come within 18 inches of a cyclists even with this law. Three, people might start getting it into their heads that they cannot always maintain the speed limit and share the road; that you may have to slow down and momentarily wait until it is safe to pass.

This law should be impetus for improvements to roads that allow for more than one mode of travel. That we shouldn't skimp and build roads with the narrowest lane widths possible and that more parallel bike lanes be provided so this is less of an issue.

The 3 foot law should not be enforced without also enforcing other laws like the one that says cyclists should stay as far to the right as possible and not riding 2 abreast (I forgot that exception to the latter). I have nothing against ticketing cyclists if they break the law but motorists should be held responsible if they needlessly endanger other road users be they motorcyslists, scooter riders, farmers on tractors or even the occasional stranded vehicle.

[orbius]

Originally Posted by mimimomx3

Banning texting is a great idea. All cell phone use, too. And radios. And passengers. Ban all distractions.

Lets ban traffic laws too, driving in Mumbai, India looks like fun. No more stopping for red lights!!!!!!! Weeeeeee!

[iceshots]

I was thinking of situations on city streets with fairly heavy traffic and cars parked along the side of the road. In those cases a bike will end up occupying the entire lane. The only option would be to not allow parking during rush hour and let the bikes use the curb lane.

I have no problem with bikes on back roads or other areas as long as they are riding properly as mentioned above. It really bugs me when you come up on a group of cyclists who are riding side by side instead of single file.

There are ignorant drivers/riders on both sides.

[nomore07]

For all the whining about laws and encroachment, here's my take.

It's an encroachment on me to be hit by another vehicle, incur injury, chase after auto body repairs, insurance claims, rental cars, and miss work. All because some believe their plastic social crutch is more important than anything or anyone else. Are we talking about teenagers or adults?

As for the political philosophy and conspiracy theories, if anyone thinks the most egregious laws are the ones concerning cell phone use, it's time to hang up and start paying attention to some real issues. (Are you ready for car tracking?)

By all means if someone live miles outside of city limits, with a lone 2-lane country road leading up to the house, I say go ahead and text away. It's not likely to cause much damage there, perhaps some embarrassing cosmetic damage to their own vehicle. Within city limits, it's another ballgame. We have enough drunk drivers, street racers, road warriors, freewheeling students, lost tourists, showboaters, construction, accident jams, rubbernecking, and other distractions.

As for the bike buffer zone, there are many roads in town where it just isn't realistic or safe. It's an unfortunate consequence of the poor infrastructure planning. At least we do have a few roads with bike lanes, and many with long stretches of sidewalk that are rarely used for walking.

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

Wouldn't it be great if we started building bike and walk lanes to the side of the road? Oh how I wish I could live long enough to see it.

I've seen them before and how wonderful they are.

It's too bad we have to propose laws like this, (thanks for the fact it isn't a law yet). The fact is too many of us have our heads up our arse. Many of us have a hard time driving, let alone trying to text while driving. If it were a perfect world we wouldn't need laws.

I shudder when I think about the driver I used to be. It's because of my good luck I'm not writing this from prison. (knock on wood, oh wait...everything is plastic now).

Thankfully, I'm a much better driver now. Why I even gave up the one finger salute, now I only salute below the dashboard. (no one sees it, does that mean I still should feel guilty?)