Flower Mound Leader > News
Police remind motorists of cell phone ban
By Chris Roark, Staff Writer
A ban on hand-held cell phone use in active school zones last spring resulted in about 135 citations in Flower Mound.
Flower Mound police are hoping that number drops and that drivers remember the ordinance is in place as school begins Monday for Lewisville ISD.
The police department will resume the effort to ticket drivers who violate the ordinance, which began in late March.
Last spring, confusion arose on the amount of money drivers owed if they were in violation. This time around, the fee is $139, which includes the citation, as well as court fees and other fees. The amount is the same regardless of number of offenses.
Lt. Wess Griffin said the program is meant to focus more on prevention than fines.
“The intent of the ordinance is to help people be aware of their surroundings,” Griffin said. “(Being distracted) endangers other drivers, and when you’re in a school zone, it endangers kids.”
Griffin said whereas the program began last spring with a 10-day grace period, there might not be one this time.
“It will be typical of a school zone (rule),” Griffin said. “We understand that it might take a while to get back in the swing of things, so the officers will use a proper level of discretion.”
Flower Mound implemented the program following Highland Park and Lake Highlands creating the same program. Griffin said that after Flower Mound implemented it, other police agencies called the town asking about its ordinance.
Flower Mound police are hoping that number drops and that drivers remember the ordinance is in place as school begins Monday for Lewisville ISD.
The police department will resume the effort to ticket drivers who violate the ordinance, which began in late March.
Last spring, confusion arose on the amount of money drivers owed if they were in violation. This time around, the fee is $139, which includes the citation, as well as court fees and other fees. The amount is the same regardless of number of offenses.
Lt. Wess Griffin said the program is meant to focus more on prevention than fines.
“The intent of the ordinance is to help people be aware of their surroundings,” Griffin said. “(Being distracted) endangers other drivers, and when you’re in a school zone, it endangers kids.”
Griffin said whereas the program began last spring with a 10-day grace period, there might not be one this time.
“It will be typical of a school zone (rule),” Griffin said. “We understand that it might take a while to get back in the swing of things, so the officers will use a proper level of discretion.”
Flower Mound implemented the program following Highland Park and Lake Highlands creating the same program. Griffin said that after Flower Mound implemented it, other police agencies called the town asking about its ordinance.
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