One North Texas City has outlawed using electronic devices while driving.
The Bedford City Council passed a distracted driving ordinance Nov. 18 which means drivers can no longer view, type or talk with any electronic device in their hands, even when stopped at a traffic signal.
Portable electronic devices include any handheld communication devices, laptops, tablets, media players and handheld gaming devices.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a person is 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash or near one by looking away from the roadway for two seconds. The average person's eyes are off the road for five seconds while texting.
The ordinance does not ban GPS units that are attached to a vehicle. Hands free devices are also permitted. Portable electronic devices are allowed to be used in emergency situations.
