No Texting in Grand Prairie or Arlington Texas

Grand Prairie joins Arlington in enacting an anti-texting ordinance starting September 1, 2013.

The ordinance prohibits:

• Sending or reading text messages and viewing pictures or written text while driving.
• Gaming or any other use of the device, besides dialing telephone numbers to call to another person.

The ordinance allows:

• Use while vehicle is stopped, out of moving lanes of a roadway.
• Telephone conversations, including dialing or ending a call.
• Use as global positioning or navigation, if device affixed to the vehicle.
• Communication with 911 emergency response, fire department, law enforcement agency, hospital, physician’s office or health clinic regarding a medical or other emergency to prevent injury to a person or property.
• Use in reasonable belief that a person’s life or safety is in immediate danger.
• Use solely in voice-activated or other hands-free mode.