City to Consider Ban on Texting While Driving Along with "Safe Passing Distance" Rule

Since it seems like half of Michael Bluejay's collision types are related to this conversation, I urge drivers and bikers to check this out (if you haven't already):

http://bicyclesafe.com/

I've never met the guy myself but I appreciate the work he put into that page. Follow and understand those tips and they might save your life - or save the life of the bicyclist you would have otherwise killed.

I support a ban on texting while driving but it needs to be statewide. A city ordinance is nothing more than a headache for drivers and police officers.

about a month or so ago in stop and go traffic on south mopac I changed lanes for my own safety because of a texter. At first I was thinking that it was a little early in the morning for a drunk driver and then I realized that they were just under the influence of texting. During the 'go' portions there was limited hand contact with the steering wheel (last minute lane corrections) and the stops were always sudden and within inches of my bumper. I wasn't in the mood for an accident that morning so I hastily changed lanes. Sadly I don't think any simple laws will do much to stop people who are so careless.

a good and bad idea. both considered as beneficial, but the thing is, there's always a BUT.

"If you are cycling in a 9-foot-wide bike lane, do not ride right on the stripe that divides it from the automobile lane."

Wide "bike lanes" in this town usually aren't. As in, expect parked cars and, with them: the door zone, a space seasoned cyclists know to avoid.

These are both good ideas and should be state laws, not city ordinances.

Bikers should always ride as far to the right as they can (bike lane or no), but Charles Duffy's right that it's not often possible with all the flotsam & jetsam (glass, car parts, beer cans, dead bodies) littering the gutters & shoulders.

@marlaerwin - 9-foot-wide bike lane? I've never seen such a thing. Are you referring to improved shoulders, perhaps?

Cyclists in Austin can legally use an improved shoulder when they're available and no signage prohibits it, but they're often full of debris and thus unsafe, particularly near the outside; getting a sudden flat on your front tire can be quite the dangerous proposition.

It's crazy to me that anyone would text whilst driving. And while I'm leery of nanny-state nagging laws like the two mentioned here, it becomes obvious with each passing day that "common sense" really isn't all that common. Sadly, it must be made illegal before jerks realize that texting and driving is hazardous and potentially lethal.

Here's what my driving coach said back in Driver's Ed: "When you drive, you're responsible for the lives of not only yourself and your passengers, but also for everyone else on the road." Got it? It's a great privilege to drive and at the same time it's a great responsibility. Not ready to accept responsibility? Then DON'T DRIVE!

I'm all for the 3-ft passing rule, but it would make sense to pair it with a rule that states, "If you are cycling in a 9-foot-wide bike lane, do not ride right on the stripe that divides it from the automobile lane."

3 foot! Why not just go with state law and require that you use the other lane or not pass? There's no 3 foot passing law for passing cars.