CITY COUNCIL APPROVES TEXTING WHILE DRIVING ORDINANCE

     Earlier this month, the Nacogdoches City Council passed an ordinance regulating electronic messaging while driving inside the city limits.

     “The ordinance makes it illegal to send, view or compose electronic messages, which includes texting, e-mails, and internet messages, while driving”, said Sgt. Greg Sowell of the Nacogdoches Police Department. “It is still permissible to talk on the phone and dial or deactivate a call” he said.

     The ordinance also allows for the activation of a global positioning or navigation device that is affixed to the vehicle. There is an exception in the ordinance for emergencies, and operators of emergency vehicles.

     Signs notifying drivers of the ordinance will be placed at major entry points into the city. After an adjustment period, police may begin issuing citations to violators. The maximum fine for violating this law is $500.00.

     “As with any law, we are hoping for voluntary compliance from the driving public”, he said.