By Marley Malenfant/se news editor
New laws that took effect Sept. 1 require all vehicle passengers to buckle up and put their cell phones away in school zones.
The Texas Department of Public Safety issued the new safety laws, which could cost a driver as much as $250 if violated.
Passengers of all ages must wear a seat belt no matter where they are seated in the vehicle. First-time offenders receive a $25 fine.
Second offenders must pay a $250 fine. However, tickets won’t be issued until June 2010.
SE Campus student Kaity Patton agreed with the law changes.
“Yes, people of all ages, men and women, need to wear their seat belt,” she said.
“They are put in cars for a reason and that is for protection in case of a collision.”
Children younger than 8 years of age must be restrained in a child safety seat. If the child is at least 4 feet, 9 inches, the child no longer needs to be in a safety seat.
It is illegal to use a wireless device such as a cell phone in a school zone or in ongoing traffic unless a hands-free device is in use.
Cities must post a sign at each school zone to warn drivers that using a wireless device is prohibited and the operator is subject to a fine.
It can be a defense if the driver was making an emergency call.
“There definitely needed to be a law that prohibits cell phone use,” SE student Sean Russell said.
“The new law could cut down accidents and create smoother traffic.”
