Austin City Council Meeting Transcript (Edited)* Hands Free Ordinance Discussion

Transcription

1 Austin City Council Meeting Transcript (Edited)* Hands Free Ordinance Discussion City Council Regular Meeting Transcript 08/28/ /29/2014 MORRISON: The primary changes that went in was off of Mayor Leffingwell's suggestion to change subsection b to limit it to when the vehicle is in motion. So prior to that there was, as you know, a lot of discussion about that piece of it. So it was changed to simply an operator of a motor vehicle may not use a portable electronic device while the vehicle is in motion. That's the first major change. Feedback prior to that, excuse me, we did add a definition of what operating a bicycle means so satisfy Councilmember Spelman's questions. Fortunately there was already a definition in state law of what operating a bicycle is so thanks to that we were able to use some of that language. Also in the definitions under number 4, we added in the definition of what an authorized emergency personnel is so that will come up under that - that will comply with that exception. In subsection d, we added an affirmative defense regarding the vehicle being at a complete stop that would help pour meaning under what we meant under b. Some talk about the California stop and is that really stopped so we'll add in everybody knows we mean moving in any way means you can't use your portable electronic device. And those are the major changes that we made in response to the work session. MAYOR LEFFINGWELL: Okay. That's great. I see you've added in the affirmative defense of the motor vehicle or bicycle is at a complete stop, period. But what does that mean it's an affirmative defense? Meaning you could be ticketed anyway and just say I'm not guilty because I was stopped and then you have to prove you are stopped or how does that work? *Note: Find the full unedited transcript at

2 Austin City Council Meeting Transcript (Edited)* Hands Free Ordinance Discussion >> The way the affirmative defenses work means that can act as defense the driver or defendant could raise after the state has presented their case. So again, it wasn't so much that we thought we needed an affirmative active defense to advertise the driver, we wanted to make sure it was clear by what we meant by subsection b, vehicle in motion. If someone said no, I was stopped that's a recognized defense they could raise. MAYOR LEFFINGWELL: So strictly according to the ordinance, the entire ordinance, you shouldn't be ticketed or cited if you are at a complete stop. But if you are, that is a defense. >> Correct. MAYOR LEFFINGWELL: Okay. Lawyer talk. Councilmember Spelman, did you -- I'm sorry, I thought you were -- any other comments? MORRISON: Before I make a motion, I guess I just wanted to ask Chief Manley, could you talk (about) a couple of people have mentioned enforcement or really education. How will we go about making sure people start learning about the new law? >> The work group did discuss the need for education. This is not an issue that we are going to resolve through enforcement. We're going to resolve this through voluntary compliance. The goal will be to educate, pass something accepted by the community and educate the community before we begin *Note: Find the full unedited transcript at

3 Austin City Council Meeting Transcript (Edited)* Hands Free Ordinance Discussion enforcement. Currently there's no budget to put together an enforcement campaign and that may be something that is worth considering because I think that's going to be on the front end what's going to be the most important is getting the message out the law has changed. We need signage at key locations like the airport, hotels, things like that where people may not be familiar with what the rules and ordinances are here. So the plan would be to do a very extensive public education campaign on the front end, and as we do any time we pass a new vehicle related law, we would do a period of warnings only so that we could get the word out. MAYOR LEFFINGWELL: Let me just, let me say I would agree and I think you made a very important statement. We have been hearing for a long time now as we continue to improve our bicycle infrastructure that cyclists want to be considered as vehicles in traffic just like any other vehicle. And I don't think it makes sense, I don't think it's good policy to have a set of traffic laws for motorized vehicles or cars or trucks and another set of laws for nonmotorized vehicles. I mean, if cyclists want to be -- if they want to share the road with everybody else, they should be subject to the same laws as everybody else. [Applause] Councimember Spelman I agree with what you said. The point is there are some bicycles that have motors on them to help people get uphills, electric motors. We have mopeds. I'm not sure whether they fall whether they are bicycles or motor vehicle. Probably probably motor vehicles if it's gas motor. Electric motor I'm not sure where it falls. If you are in the road seems like we ought to treat you like a motor vehicle only because it would not cause too much trouble if you ran into my car. I'm going to try to get out of your way and I might run into some other car. There's a lot of opportunities for conflict and I think we ought to minimize these as much as possible. I have a question about the pedi cabs. How do we treat portable wire devices in order to get fares. *Note: Find the full unedited transcript at

4 Austin City Council Meeting Transcript (Edited)* Hands Free Ordinance Discussion SPELMAN: I'm changing the subject slightly. Suppose a taxi cab driver and instead of using a radio I'm using a cell phone. And I'm not sure whether there are any in town who do that, but I know that in other towns there are cab companies that rely mostly on a cell phone and not on a two way radio. If some cab company were to shift to a portable wireless device rather than two way radio as a primary means of communication, would they be bound in the same way as or the father motorists or would there be an exception made? >> As currently written, councilmember, that would be a violation and so I would suggest that if that was the direction they were going that they employ hands free technology in their vehicles and they can still update and use the cellular service but do it hands free. SPELMAN: That seems to be exactly the right approach and if a pedi cab wanted to communicate with a central communicator they ought to be using a hands free device the same as the rest of us do too. I think we're not obviating the possibility for the pedi cabs to continue to do business the way they have been for, they just need to put a cord in their ear. *Note: Find the full unedited transcript at

5 ORDINANCE NO AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION OF THE CITY CODE TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES WHILE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE OR BICYCLE, AND CREATING AN OFFENSE. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: PART 1. Section of the City Code is amended to read: USE OF PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES WHILE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE OR BICYCLE. (A) In this section: (1) portable electronic device means a hand-held mobile telephone, personal digital assistant, MP3 or other hand-held music player, electronic reading device, laptop computer, pager, broadband personal communication device, global positioning or navigation svstem, electronic game device, or portable computing device. (2) use means employing a portable electronic device for any reason including, without limitation, the following activities while holding or touching the device: (a) (b) (c) (d) dialing or deactivating a phone call; speaking in or listening to a conversation; viewing, taking, or transmitting electronic images; composing, sending, viewing, accessing, browsing, retrieving, or saving messages, text messages, or other electronic data; Page 1 of 3

6 (e) (f) g) entering or changing information in a global positioning or navigation svstem or any software or application designed for navigation; accessing or viewing an internet website or computer application or; playing a game. (3) operating a bicycle means astride a permanent seat attached to the bicycle while the bicycle is in motion. (4) authorized emergency personnel means a person who is a law enforcement officer, firefighter, member of a governmental emergency medical services function, or member of a govemmental emergency management function. (B) (C) (D) [(A)] An operator of a motor vehicle [driver of a motor vehicle] may not use a portable electronic device [wireless conmiunication device to view, send, or compose an electronic message or engage other application software] while the vehicle is in motion. A person may not use a portable electronic device while operating a bicycle. [(B)] It is an affirmative defense to prosecution of an offense under this section if [a wireless communications device is used]: (1) the motor vehicle or bicycle is at a complete stop; (2) the portable electronic device is used in a hands-free mode of operation and used to engage in telephone connmunication or to listen to audio transmissions; (3) the portable electronic device is [as] a global positioning or navigation device, or global positioning or navigation software on a device, and the device is affixed to the motor vehicle or bicycle; Page 2 of 3

7 (4) use of a portable electronic device is for obtaining emergency assistance to report a crime, traffic accident, medical emergency, or serious traffic hazard, or to prevent a crime about to be committed; or (5) use of a portable electronic device is in the reasonable belief that a person's life or safety is in immediate danger. [(6)] [if the device is permanently installed inside the vehicle; or] [f?)] [solely in a voice activated or other hands free mode.] (E) (F) (G) [(G)] This section does not apply to [an operator of an] authorized emergency personnel [vehicle] using a portable electronic [wireless communication] device while acting in an official capacity. This section does not apply to an operator who is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission while operating a radio frequency device other than a portable electronic device or an operator using a two-way radio communication device in a commercial vehicle. [( )] To the extent that this section conflicts with the Texas Transportation Code Section , regarding the use of wireless communication devices while operating a motor vehicle by minors, or Texas Transportation Code Section , regarding the use of wireless communication devices in school crossing zones, this section does not apply. PART 2. This ordinance shall take effect January 1, PASSED AND APPROVED August 28., 2014 effingwell Mayor APPRO..aren M. tf^enm City Attorney ATTESTS Jannette S. Goodall City Clerk Page 3 of 3

8 Current State Law Texas Transportation Code Sec OPERATION OF VEHICLE BY PERSON UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE. (a) A person under 18 years of age may not operate a motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device, except in case of emergency. (a-1) A person under 18 years of age may not operate a motor vehicle: (1) after midnight and before 5 a.m. unless the operation of the vehicle is necessary for the operator to attend or participate in employment or a school-related activity or because of a medical emergency; or family member. (2) with more than one passenger in the vehicle under 21 years of age who is not a (b) A person under 17 years of age who holds a restricted motorcycle license or moped license may not operate a motorcycle or moped while using a wireless communications device, except in case of emergency. (b-1) A person under 17 years of age who holds a restricted motorcycle license or moped license, during the 12-month period following the issuance of an original motorcycle license or moped license to the person, may not operate a motorcycle or moped after midnight and before 5 a.m. unless: (1) the person is in sight of the person's parent or guardian; or (2) the operation of the vehicle is necessary for the operator to attend or participate in employment or a school-related activity or because of a medical emergency. (c) This section does not apply to: (1) a person operating a motor vehicle while accompanied in the manner required by Section (d)(2) for the holder of an instruction permit; or (2) a person licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to operate a wireless communication device or a radio frequency device. (d) For the purposes of this section, employment includes work on a family farm by a member of the family that owns or operates the farm. (e) A peace officer may not stop a vehicle or detain the operator of a vehicle for the sole purpose of determining whether the operator of the vehicle has violated this section. (f) In this section, "wireless communication device" means a handheld or hands-free device that uses commercial mobile service, as defined by 47 U.S.C. Section 332.

9 Current State Law Texas Transportation Code Sec USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE IN A SCHOOL CROSSING ZONE OR WHILE OPERATING A SCHOOL BUS WITH A MINOR PASSENGER; OFFENSE. (a) In this section: (1) "Hands-free device" means speakerphone capability or a telephone attachment or other piece of equipment, regardless of whether permanently installed in the motor vehicle, that allows use of the wireless communication device without use of either of the operator's hands. (2) "Wireless communication device" means a device that uses a commercial mobile service, as defined by 47 U.S.C. Section 332. (b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), an operator may not use a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle within a school crossing zone, as defined by Section , Transportation Code, unless: (1) the vehicle is stopped; or (2) the wireless communication device is used with a hands-free device. (b-1) Except as provided by Subsection (b-2), a municipality, county, or other political subdivision that enforces this section shall post a sign that complies with the standards described by this subsection at the entrance to each school crossing zone in the municipality, county, or other political subdivision. The department shall adopt standards that: (1) allow for a sign required to be posted under this subsection to be attached to an existing sign at a minimal cost; and that: (2) require that a sign required to be posted under this subsection inform an operator crossing zone; and (A) the use of a wireless communication device is prohibited in the school (B) the operator is subject to a fine if the operator uses a wireless communication device in the school crossing zone. (b-2) A municipality, county, or other political subdivision that by ordinance or rule prohibits the use of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle throughout the jurisdiction of the political subdivision is not required to post a sign as required by Subsection (b-1) if the political subdivision: (1) posts signs that are located at each point at which a state highway, U.S. highway, or interstate highway enters the political subdivision and that state: (A) that an operator is prohibited from using a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle in the political subdivision; and (B) that the operator is subject to a fine if the operator uses a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle in the political subdivision; and

10 Current State Law Texas Transportation Code (2) subject to all applicable United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration rules, posts a message that complies with Subdivision (1) on any dynamic message sign operated by the political subdivision located on a state highway, U.S. highway, or interstate highway in the political subdivision. (b-3) A sign posted under Subsection (b-2)(1) must be readable to an operator traveling at the applicable speed limit. (b-4) The political subdivision shall pay the costs associated with the posting of signs under Subsection (b-2). (c) An operator may not use a wireless communication device while operating a passenger bus with a minor passenger on the bus unless the passenger bus is stopped. (d) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution of an offense under this section that: (1) the wireless communication device was used to make an emergency call to: (A) an emergency response service, including a rescue, emergency medical, or hazardous material response service; (B) a hospital; (C) a fire department; (D) a health clinic; (E) a medical doctor's office; (F) an individual to administer first aid treatment; or (G) a police department; or (2) a sign required by Subsection (b-1) was not posted at the entrance to the school crossing zone at the time of an offense committed in the school crossing zone. (d-1) The affirmative defense available in Subsection (d)(2) is not available for an offense under Subsection (b) committed in a school crossing zone located in a municipality, county, or other political subdivision that is in compliance with Subsection (b-2). (e) This section does not apply to: (1) an operator of an authorized emergency vehicle using a wireless communication device while acting in an official capacity; or (2) an operator who is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission while operating a radio frequency device other than a wireless communication device.

11 Current State Law Texas Transportation Code (f) Except as provided by Subsection (b-2), this section preempts all local ordinances, rules, or regulations that are inconsistent with specific provisions of this section adopted by a political subdivision of this state relating to the use of a wireless communication device by the operator of a motor vehicle. Sec USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE ON SCHOOL PROPERTY; OFFENSE. (a) In this section: (1) "Hands-free device" has the meaning assigned by Section (2) "Wireless communication device" has the meaning assigned by Section (b) Except as provided by Section (c), an operator may not use a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle on the property of a public elementary, middle, junior high, or high school for which a local authority has designated a school crossing zone, during the time a reduced speed limit is in effect for the school crossing zone, unless: (1) the vehicle is stopped; or (2) the wireless communication device is used with a hands-free device. (c) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution of an offense under this section that the wireless communication device was used to make an emergency call to: (1) an emergency response service, including a rescue, emergency medical, or hazardous material response service; (2) a hospital; (3) a fire department; (4) a health clinic; (5) a medical doctor's office; (6) an individual to administer first aid treatment; or (7) a police department. (d) This section does not apply to: (1) an operator of an authorized emergency vehicle using a wireless communication device while acting in an official capacity; or

12 Current State Law Texas Transportation Code (2) an operator who is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission while operating a radio frequency device other than a wireless communication device. (e) This section preempts all local ordinances, rules, or regulations that are inconsistent with specific provisions of this section adopted by a political subdivision of this state relating to the use of a wireless communication device by the operator of a motor vehicle, except that a political subdivision may by ordinance or rule prohibit the use of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle throughout the jurisdiction of the political subdivision.