THE LAST TIME THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE

THE LAST was in town, new laws Two principle safety belt distracted Safety Effective of all ages belt – whether front or the Prior to the did not have sat in the passengers be issued Texas parents state law now than eight seat or booster taller than the child safety to $250 plus was in town, state lawmakers passed new laws governing Texas drivers. Two principle areas of focus were new safety belt laws and prohibitions on distracted driving activities.

Safety Belts

Effective June 1, vehicle occupants of all ages must be secured by a safety belt – whether they are seated in the front or the back seat of the vehicle. Prior to the law’s passage, occupants did not have to wear safety belts if they sat in the back seat. Unbuckled adult passengers in the front or back seat can be issued a citation.

Texas parents should remember that state law now requires children younger than eight years old be in a child safety seat or booster seat unless the child is taller than 4 feet 9 inches. Violators of the child safety seat law face fines of up to $250 plus court costs.

Distracted Driving TIME THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE

Distracted Driving

Texas lawmakers also restricted what town, state lawmakers passed

Texas lawmakers also restricted Texas drivers can do while behind the wheel. Legislators prevent distracted driving, U.S. Dept. of Transportation as “any non-driving activity engages in that has the distract him or her from task of driving and risk of crashing.” This of technology such as personal digital assistants electronic devices. Texas drivers can do while they are governing Texas drivers.

behind the wheel. Legislators acted to principle areas of focus were new

prevent distracted driving, which the

laws and prohibitions on

U.S. Dept. of Transportation defines

driving activities.

as “any non-driving activity a person

Belts

engages in that has the potential to

June 1, vehicle occupants

distract him or her from the primary

must be secured by a safety

task of driving and increase the whether they are seated in the

risk of crashing.” This includes use the back seat of the vehicle.

of technology such as cell phones,

the law’s passage, occupants

personal digital assistants and other have to wear safety belts if they

electronic devices. back seat. Unbuckled adult

The National Traffic Safety in the front or back seat can

The National TraffiAdministration reported 6,000 people died in 2008 involving a distracted more than half a million Younger, inexperienced 20 years old have the highest of distraction-related fatal Under a new Texas law, Administration reported that nearly citation.

6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes parents should remember that

involving a distracted driver, and now requires children younger

more than half a million were injured.

years old be in a child safety

Younger, inexperienced drivers under booster seat unless the child is

20 years old have the highest proportion

4 feet 9 inches. Violators of

of distraction-related fatal crashes.

safety seat law face fines of up

Under a new Texas law, drivers under plus court costs. the age of 18 are prohibited from using

the age of 18 are prohibited from using

a wireless communication device while

restricted what

a wireless communication device while

operating a motor vehicle.

while they are

operating a motor vehicle.

Texas lawmakers prohibited all

Legislators acted to

Texas lawmakers prohibited all

Texas drivers from using a wireless

driving, which the

Texas drivers from using a wireless

communication device in a school zone

Transportation defines

communication device in a school zone

unless the vehicle is stopped or the

activity a person

unless the vehicle is stopped or the

device is hands-free. Texas cities and

potential to

device is hands-free. Texas cities and

counties enforcing this law will have

the primary

counties enforcing this law will have

signs posted at the start of each school

increase the

signs posted at the start of each school

zone informing drivers that cell phone

includes use

zone informing drivers that cell phone

use is prohibited. Drivers who violate

cell phones,

use is prohibited. Drivers who violate

this law will be subject to a fine of up

assistants and other

this law will be subject to a fine of up

to $200. The only exception to this law

to $200. The only exception to this law

is if the call made in a school zone is an

Traffic Safety

is if the call made in a school zone is an

emergency call.

that nearly

emergency call.

All Texans should obey these new

2008 in crashes

All Texans should obey these new

traffic laws and make our highways

driver, and

safer. were injured.

drivers under traffic laws and make our highways

safer.

– July 2010 highest proportion

crashes. drivers under – July 2010