Texas Transportation Code
§ 545.425 — USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE IN A SCHOOL CROSSING ZONE OR WHILE OPERATING A BUS WITH A MINOR PASSENGER; LOCAL AUTHORITY SIGN REQUIREMENTS; OFFENSE
TN § 545.425Title 7. VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC · Part C. RULES OF THE ROAD · Ch. 545. OPERATION AND MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES · Art. I. MISCELLANEOUS RULES
Statute text
View on source(a)In this section:
(1)"Hands-free device" means speakerphone capability, a telephone attachment, or another function or other piece of equipment, regardless of whether permanently installed in or on a wireless communication device or in a motor vehicle, that allows use of the wireless communication device without use of either of the operator's hands, except to activate or deactivate a function of the wireless communication device or hands-free device. The term includes voice-operated technology and a push-to-talk function.
(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 541.302, 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 local authority that enforces this section in a school crossing zone in the local authority's jurisdiction shall post a sign, or approve the posting of a sign by a school or school district, that complies with the standards described by this subsection at each entrance to the school crossing zone. The Texas Department of Transportation shall adopt standards that:
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Legislative history
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1105 (H.B. 55), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 774 (H.B. 1899), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 438 (H.B. 62), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2017. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1358 (H.B. 771), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1358 (H.B. 771), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2019.