The city of Austin unanimously approved Aug. 21 a ban that makes it illegal to talk, text or use a cellphone behind the wheel of a vehicle. The law will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2015.

The commissioners recommended the ban on July 28 to the city council. However, the process to ban any cell phone use while driving started long before July; the city council ordered the Distracted Driving Study Group in February to find a way to increase the distracted driving ordinance. The existing driving ordinance, from February 2012, banned texting while driving. The new ban will give drivers a ticket if they are caught holding their phone.

“The city currently has an ordinance banning texting and driving, however, it can be difficult to enforce at times,” Austin Police Assistant Chief Brian Manley said. “Because it can be hard to tell from an officer’s perspective whether that individual was actually texting or whether they were dialing a phone or something along those lines.”

With the new ban, police will be able to easily tell if you’re using your phone at all, and give out tickets accordingly. The cell phone ban also applies to motorcyclists and bicyclists.

“I prefer to stop and park somewhere and then text or call someone,” junior Lauren Henson said.

To use a phone, including texting, talking and playing music, it must be completely hands free. Drivers can use a GPS if the device is mounted and totally hands free. This new ban basically requires any use of a cell phone to be hands free.

“The ban won’t really effect me because I don’t have Bluetooth or anything to use anyways,” junior Kessie Mollenkopf said. “Also, I don’t look at my phone while I drive.”

The only other way drivers can use a cell phone is at a stoplight or stop sign. While the vehicle is stopped, drivers can make a quick phone call or hold their phone. In emergencies drivers can dial 911. First responders and commercial businesses are able to use their two way radios.

For more information about the new driving ordinance visit: http://www.austintexas.gov/handsfree