Though Texas has failed to join the 19 states so far which ban texting while driving — a no-brainer law if ever there was one — at least some Texas cities are passing such laws, and the latest and largest is our capital city of Austin.

On Thursday Austin City Council unanimously passed a ban on texting while driving. It won’t go into effect until Jan. 2, but in the meantime, the city will wage a campaign to educate the public about it.

Here’s what Austin’s new law prohibits: viewing, writing or sending electronic messages via a cell phone, iPhone, BlackBerry or other wireless communications device while driving a motor vehicle. The law’s definition of “electronic messages” includes e-mails, text messages, posts on social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter and a command or request to access an Internet site.

Here’s what Austin’s new law exempts: navigational systems, texting in emergencies, and texting by public safety personnel who need access to a wireless device while on duty.

Readers commenting to an online article by the Austin American-Statesman ranged from those who deride the new law as something to “make money off of” (fines are up to $500) to those who say the law just legislates common sense — and wish they lived in a society where such laws weren’t necessary.

Regardless of your stance on the issue, it’s clear from an enormous volume of research and evidence that texting while driving is a dangerous distraction that’s killed thousands of Americans in car accidents. In fact, talking by cell phone while driving is dangerous, too, yet Austin’s ordinance doesn’t cover that. Those who complain about it should note how limited it is.

Certainly, we’d be a safer nation if all motorists devoted themselves 100 per cent to driving while behind the wheel, rather than indulging in often needless and trivial electronic communication at the same time. But that’s why laws are enacted: to help protect society from itself. In this case, we applaud Austin’s actions and only hope more Texas cities — if not the state as a whole — also see the light and ban texting while driving.

Personal injury law firm Jim S. Adler & Associates supports safe driving campaigns and safety organizations such as Safe Kids.

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