San Antonio Police Department officers are spelling out new rules when it comes to cellphone use while driving a vehicle.
"Anyone who holds the device in their hand is in violation,” officer Misty Floyd said.
Late last year, the San Antonio City Council passed the distracted driving ordinance. Safety was touted as the main reason to approve the new law.
"Distracted driving is very dangerous, and it can ultimately result in death,” Floyd said.
Rafael Dangerfield was trying to find City Hall with his GPS Monday and had his device in his hand. He didn’t know about the potential $200 fine.
“Oh yeah?” he asked. “Well, I'm a visitor and I just moved here from Louisiana, so I am glad you told me that."
Unfortunately for visitors, the statue doesn't give them a free pass, though there are some exceptions.
"There are exemptions to this ordinance such as those that are contacting, call 911 for an emergency, roadside assistance,” Floyd said.
And police are serious about enforcing the law, which kicked in at the beginning of the year. They had been issuing warnings — not tickets — throughout the month of January.
"We're out in full force, and we're looking for those that are violating the law because ultimately the mission of this ordinance is to save lives,” Floyd said.
Those that have to use their phone can utilize hands-free options like a Bluetooth headset or mount.
"One of our cars has Bluetooth, and in the car that we're driving in now doesn't have Bluetooth,” Rafael's wife, Yolanda Zetar Dangerfield, said.
She says she’d prefer the government not add another law to the books, but she tries to police her own cellphone use.
"I try and minimize it myself,” she said.
The distracted driving enforcement kicked in Sunday.
Using headsets or ear phones while driving is legal in Texas and 32 other states, including California and Oklahoma.