The city of San Marcos may soon join every other city along the I-35 corridor between San Antonio and Austin in prohibiting the use of electronic devices while driving.

City staff will begin looking into creating an ordinance that would outlaw the activity after council’s discussion at a meeting Sept. 15.

Most other nearby cities, including Buda, Kyle, Schertz and New Braunfels prohibit drivers from touching their devices, such as smart phones and laptops, while operating their vehicle. San Marcos City Council members indicated they might be interested in crafting a law that is less stringent.

Council Member Shane Scott said he would like the city to provide an option for violators of the law to take defensive driving courses in lieu of a fine.

“We’re trying to prevent hands-free, but at the same time somehow these people are going to have to pay for it when they violate the law, and not everyone is going to be able to pull out $100, $200 or $500; especially in a college town,” he said. “That’s concerning to me.”

Council Member Ryan Thomason said the real problem is distractions that occur within the car. Pressing one button to answer a phone call is no more distracting than adjusting the air conditioner, or changing the radio station, he said. The city’s ordinance should provide some allowance for pressing one button on the device, he said.

“If we’re going to do this it ought to be something that’s practical,” Thomason said. “No one should be driving down the street reading an email or text messages. Let’s go after that.”

In Kyle, the first violation of the hands-free ordinance warrants a fine of at least $100. A second violation costs a driver at least $200. Third and subsequent violations cost at least $500. In Buda, violations of the law are punishable by fines up to $500.

Mayor Daniel Guerrero said the city has been working with Sen. Judith Zaffirini, who in the 84th legislative session nearly passed a statewide ban on operating electronic devices while driving.

“My preference would be at some point that the state get serious and push something forward and not have each individual community have to come forward and do this,” Guerrero said. “But this is the first step in the right direction, if not two steps in the right direction.”

San Marcos Police Chief Chase Stapp said if the city approves an ordinance there will likely be a 2-3 month education period, during which the city would circulate educational materials notifying residents of the new law and warnings would be given to drivers in violation of the law.