A reminder to all of us that a growing number of cities have ordinances banning the use of cell phone, hand-held/mobile devices while in a school zone. Just yesterday, I witnessed a young lady get pulled over, even though she was at a complete stop at a red light, because she was probably on Facebook on her iPhone. The officer drove by on his motorcycle looking into each vehicle. With her head down, she never saw him coming.
Even though you are not moving, the use of such devices is prohibited in Watauga. According to this excerpt from the city:
(1) Use of a hand-held mobile telephone is prohibited while operating a motor vehicle in a school zone on official school days and during hours when the school zone is in effect.
(2) Except as otherwise provided below, it shall be unlawful for a person to drive or operate a motor vehicle in a school zone, on official school days, during the hours when school zones are in effect, and when school zone signs and signs prohibiting hand-held mobile telephone use are posted in place, while using a hand-held mobile telephone to engage in a call or to create, send or read a message.
(3) An operator of a motor vehicle who holds a mobile telephone to or in the immediate proximity of his or her ear while such vehicle is in motion is presumed to be engaging in a call within the meaning of this section. “Immediate proximity” shall mean that distance as permits the operator of a mobile telephone to hear telecommunications transmitted over such mobile telephone, but shall not require physical contact with such operator’s ear.
You can read the full ordinance here (you might need to search for the phrase “school zone” to jump to that specific section.
Our kids are first and let’s all agree to do what we can to eliminate accidents and to keep our kids safe in their school zones.