As of Jan. 1, all usage of handheld devices, such as cell phones, while operating a vehicle or bicycle has been banned by the city of Austin. This law makes Austin one of the few “hands-free” cities in the United States.

While attempts to fix the corrupt ways of texting or calling during the driving of any sort of means of transportation, banning handheld devices entirely is unfair and ineffective.

Firstly, 30% of cars do not have pleasantries such as GPS systems or built-in Bluetooth. This leaves many drivers, especially high school students, without a way to contact people when needed or navigate to a destination. While more and more cars are being made with these features, cars are still expensive, and high schoolers and college students can’t afford much more than they need. With this new law, hands-free devices are much more needed.

Today, every phone must be made with a GPS system to help the owner find their way around. There is really no difference in occasionally looking down at your phone or handheld device to see where you are or where you are going than looking occasionally to the side at a affixed GPS system, or one already built into the car.

Lastly, with this new law citizens of Austin are not allowed to do simple tasks, such as adjust the radio, eat or drink, and even talk to accompanying passengers. According to ExxonMobil Corp., 70% of people in America eat while driving, and 80% of people have a drink such as water or a soft drink. Stopping this could potentially cause diets to be disrupted. Talking to passengers is a common courtesy and it would be considered rude to not talk to people in your car with you. This part of the law is simply ridiculous.

Instead of banning everything you do in a car, the city of Austin should amend the law to banning cell phones but still allow for people to eat, drink, talk, and adjust their surroundings. By doing this, Austin would still be taking all usage of cellphones – the most dangerous part of driving – without taking away everything a driver has.

Keeping the law as it is would be unfair to Austin drivers who now have to pay a $500 fee if just seen holding any sort of device.