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Texas Drivers May Soon Be Fined for Eating & Using Phones While Driving

According to recently filed House Bill 1810 pending in the Texas State Legislature, motorists and truck drivers may soon find themselves receiving additional violations and paying inflated fines during traffic stops should they commit any of a number of actions cited as "inattentive driving." The bill, authored by Representative Paul Moreno of El Paso, was filed on March 1st.

"Legislation such as this only serves to pad the coffers of the local and state treasurers. There is simply no logical reason to make listening to a radio while driving illegal," says Steve Ehrenreich, CEO and founder of TixNix.com, a service that allows motorists to fight moving violations and protect their driving records through the Internet. "TixNix.com attorneys are already prepared to fight for our clients against these ill-conceived violations should they become law this September."

Among the potential violations, drivers may be punished for reading or writing, using a computer or performing personal grooming while driving. In addition, using a CB radio or talking on a cell phone would constitute a violation.

However, the bill goes on to include many activities that most truckers and motorists consider to be a normal part of driving. For instance, using a radio or a GPS unit while driving would be considered illegal. So would eating or drinking a non-alcoholic beverage. And, surprisingly enough, "interacting with a vehicle passenger," in other words, talking with someone, would constitute a violation.

"The scope of activities deemed illegal in this bill practically gives officers carte blanche to add violation after violation for every traffic stop," said Steven Owsley, a Houston-based lawyer in the TixNix.com attorney network. "Without proper representation in traffic court, truck drivers and motorists alike will be forced to pay exorbitant fines for every violation they receive."

Indeed, the proposed legislation states that, "An offense under this subtitle is punishable by a fine that is at least twice the minimum fine applicable to the offense and not more than twice the maximum fine that is applicable to the offense."

"Getting a ticket is already an expensive proposition, especially if you choose not to fight it in court," says Ehrenreich. "This law practically makes it mandatory to get legal representation every time you receive a moving violation in Texas to ensure you keep your record clean and your finances intact. We certainly hope that Texas motorists and truck drivers will turn to TixNix.com to defeat these violations in court."

About TixNix.com and TacitLogic

TixNix.com is a service of TacitLogic, Inc. TixNix.com is a full-service resource that lets motorists fight moving violations through the Web. TixNix.com is currently operating in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, California, Florida, New York and Montana, with plans to expand nationwide shortly.

Distributed by Market Wire