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Three weeks ago the Pasadena city council passed an ordinance forcing drivers to abandon their cell phones while driving through school zones.

Cell phone usage prohibited

City council prohibits through area school zones

By: Isaac Wright

Posted: 4/27/09

Using cell phones while driving is a problem that poses a serious threat to others on the road and has prompted the Pasadena City Council to pass a law restricting the use of cell phones in school zones.

Three weeks ago, the Pasadena City Council passed an ordinance that forces drivers to abandon their cell phones while driving through school zones during school hours.

Pasadena is only the latest of Texas cities to adopt such a law, following in the example of West University and Dallas further north.

Like the laws imposed by other cities, the new Pasadena law makes an exception for hands-free devices.

This means that the law is meant to reduce the number of drivers using their hand-held communication devices while driving in a school zone for any purpose such as making a phone call, sending a text message or any other features cell phones have acquired over the years.

The City Council passed the ordinance with a unanimous vote three weeks ago and, since then the law has gone into effect.

All the signs posted at school zones directing motorists to relinquish their phones in the areas have not all been posted yet, but the city is currently in the process of doing so.

Currently, there is a one-month grace period in place for drivers to learn the new law.

After that, the Pasadena Police Department will be writing tickets for anyone who violates the ordinance.

'The punishment is up to a $500 fine," Mike Jackson, Pasadena police chief, said. "Whether or not they receive the maximum fine is up to the judge."

The city council did not come to the decision to consider this ordinance in response to any particular incident. Instead, the city's leaders came to the decision to implement the law as a way to make the city safer.

"There was no official study that led us to this decision," Mayor Johnny Isbell of Pasadena, said. "It was just what you hear in the community through various people."

More than anything, the decision to pass this law seemed to be a simple matter of common sense to those involved in the city's government.

"I think it's a good idea," Councilman Jack Douglass said. "Personally, I don't think anyone should use a cell phone while driving."

It is very unlikely that the current law will expand to restricting the use of hand-held cell phones on city streets outside school zones.

However, the current ordinance does raise awareness for the issue of using cell phones while driving.

Though drivers are only expected to refrain from using them in school zones, there is a good chance that Pasadena residents will grow to be more conscious of their actions while driving.

Ultimately, of course, this legislation is focused on the safety of the city's children especially around schools.

"It's just another law on the books to make our streets safer," Richard Scott, director of community relations for the Pasadena police department, said. "Mayor Isbell's number one duty to this city is safety. Anything we can do to make this city safer, we are going to do it."

"What more precious commodity do we have in this world than our children?" Isbell said. "When we as the city officials have the opportunity to correct a dangerous situation and didn't do it, we would be remiss in our duties."

At present, the one-month grace period is now in effect to allow residents to become more aware of the new law.

However, the ordinance is in effect and the Pasadena Police Department is enforcing it.

Although Chief Jackson made it clear that it was unlikely that offenders would be given the maximum fine after their first offense, repeat offenders will run a good chance of incurring strict penalties.