On the heels of the city of Austin's implementation of a hands-free ordinance the West Lake Hills City Council is discussing a similar restriction. The city, which is largely surrounded by the city of Austin, instituted a no texting while driving ordinance in 2010.
"Anything you can do to lessen distractions while driving is a good thing," Councilwoman Linda Anthony said. "I think a hands-free ordinance is a no-brainer."
Because West Lake Hills is a general law city instead of a home rule city it can not use the Austin hands-free ordinance word-for-word.
"This isn't typically something cities our size undertake," West Lake Hills City Attorney Alan Bojorquez said. "But I'm confident it would be enforceable."
West Lake Hills Police Chief Cliff Spratlan said he would be in favor of the ordinance and does not anticipate any problems enforcing the potential ordinance.
The only change to the Austin ordinance Anthony suggested was to eliminate the use of phones or electronic devices while stopped.
The council plans to discuss and potentially adopt the proposed hands-free ordinance at its Jan. 28 meeting.