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Town approves cell phone ban in school zones
By Chris Roark, Staff Writer
Members of Flower Mound's town staff and police department said they have heard stories about the close calls at local cross walks, in part because cell phones have been a distraction to drivers.
Flower Mound resident Dave Bell has heard the stories, too. And, when the town council unanimously voted Monday to ban cell phone use in active school zones, Bell was there to support the decision.
"I work for an international freight company," Bell said. "And, from what they've studied, if you're using a cell phone while you're driving, it's just like someone drinking while they're driving."
Bell’s wife is a crossing guard for Lewisville ISD, so Bell has heard stories of inattentiveness from her when she started the job, he said.
"This has been a problem since the beginning," Bell said.
Only police officers who witness a violation can issue a citation, which can begin at $75 but increase to $200 for repeat offenders. But, crossing guards can write down the license plate number of an offender, and the police department will send the violator a warning in the mail.
The town will purchase warning signs and post them around Flower Mound as a reminder, beginning March 25.
The ordinance is patterned after a similar program in Highland Park, the first city in Texas to adopt such an ordinance. University Park followed suit soon after.
"I'm for it," said Spencer Webb, a student at Shadow Ridge Middle School, who attended the meeting with fellow Eagle Scouts. "I see the crossing guards, and sometimes they have a look of sheer terror because they're running out to stop a car so that we can cross."
Kyle Bell, Dave Bell's son, said he agrees with the ordinance but said it should go one step further.
"Even if you're using a Blue Tooth, your mind isn't on the road," said Kyle Bell, 11. "Your hands are free, but you're looking at the road absent-mindedly."
McCann Dahl, who attends McKamy Middle School, said he saw a problem with the ordinance.
"I agree with being safe," Dahl said. "But, when the crossing guard or the police look at a driver's license plate, they don't know why the person is on the phone. The person's mom might have just died."
Police Chief Kenneth Brooker said during his presentation to the council that crossing guards in Flower Mound have expressed support for the ordinance. While there have been no incidents involving someone getting hit as a result of a driver using a cell phone in a school zone, crossing guards have said the majority of violations have occurred by drivers using cell phones.
LISD Superintendent Jerry Roy sent a letter to the town supporting the ordinance.
"For me, this is an easy one, since we're protecting the kids," said Flower Mound Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Tasker. "In our car, I have a rule where we don’t have the radio or the cell phone on until we’ve dropped the kids off and are away from the school."
In other news, the council unanimously approved a specific use permit to allow construction for North Texas Emergency Pet Clinic. The 4,016-square-foot veterinary hospital, which will be located at 2311 Cross Timbers Road, will give pet owners a closer option when emergencies arise.
"It is so difficult to get to the existing clinics," said one of the clinic's co-owners, Denise Smith. "After-hours pet care was lacking. You don't want to put your sick animal in the car and head north or south on (Interstate) 35 to Denton or Carrollton or on (Highway) 114 to Southlake."
With the approval, the clinic agrees to certain conditions, including maintaining a clean outside area and making sure the inside pens are fully enclosed to limit noise.
Smith said the clinic should begin construction in six to eight weeks and should open by late May or June.
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