Bay City Tribune

The Texas legislature passed House Bill 55 banning use of cell phones in all Texas school zones on May 15.

The law is set to go into effect on Sept. 1 and will be punishable by fine.

HB 55 bans the use of hand-held cellular devices while the vehicle is moving and only pertaining to the driver.

The law is not applicable to hands-free devices.

The bill also states that signage regarding the law must be present in the school zones before the law is enforceable.

The Bay City Police Department wants all residents to be aware of the new law as school is beginning, according to Lt. Andrew Lewis, Bay City Police Department spokesman.

"School starts on August 24 and we just want to get people in the right frame of mind from the beginning," said Lewis.

"We just don't want people coming through a school zone not paying attention."

Bay City ISD Police Chief Leroy Cunningham said the use of cell phone in school zones has not posed a serious problem at Bay City schools in the past.

"It's not been so much of a major problem here," said Cunningham.

"But we always want to be in a prevention mode before it reaches that point."

Lewis said he wants everyone to be aware and prepared for the new law and their part in protecting the safety of school children.