At the Aug. 17 meeting of the Tomball City Council, board members unanimously approved an ordinance that makes it unlawful to talk on a cell phone or send text messages or e-mails while driving through a posted school zone.

Violators could be fined up to $200 for each offense, according to the new ordinance.

The action by the council comes on the heels of a law passed in the 81^st session of the Texas Legislature, which enacted the ban this summer.

Tomball Police Chief Rob Hauck said at the Aug. 17 meeting that the measure by city council was to “keep us consistent with the new state law.”

The ordinance does allow for the use of cells phones in emergency situations or to a doctor or physician. Additionally, the use of hands-free mobile devices is allowed under the new ordinance.

Signs will be placed in each Tomball ISD school zone alerting drivers of the restrictions. To pay for the new signs, the city will utilize revenue from the red light traffic camera system, money that can only be used on traffic safety programs.

Parents and other drivers through Tomball will have at least one week to acclimate themselves to the new law. Tomball ISD classes begin on Aug. 24, but the new law does not go into effect until Sept. 1.

Council member Derek Townsend asked Hauck to consider cautioning students who walk across Tomball streets using their cell phone and who may not be paying attention to oncoming traffic.

Hauck said the Tomball PD is formulating a safety program along with Tomball ISD and that concern would be addressed in the plan.

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