It's bad

91_Aggie said:

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agmom95 said:

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Just found this from another KBTX article, written by a CStat police officer:

The hands-free requirement applies to anyone using a cell phone while operating a vehicle (including a bicycle) on a public roadway in College Station, which includes typing, sending or reading texts, and making calls. Fine amounts range from $25-$500.

You may pick up your device while driving only if:

You're at a complete stop.
It's an emergency.
You're selecting music on your device. (state requirement)

Does selecting Texags radio count?

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That ain't music!!!!

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If the Aggies are winning thats music to my ears!! Whoop!

So this part of your post was just about the OP's stop and not about motorcycle cops in general?

Quote:

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The motorcycle guys are out and about for one reason and one reason only, to generate revenue through tickets.

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Ok.

Cherry picking your own quote.

For the record, I agree that they are there for traffic and revenue.

But I also think they are needed because of the way that a lot of drivers are in this town. I don't have an issue with the city making money off of people being dumb drivers or breaking traffic laws.

Edit: This post is not directed at the OP.

Stupe said:

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For the record, I agree that they are there for traffic and revenue.

But I also think they are needed because of the way that a lot of drivers are in this town. I don't have an issue with the city making money off of people being dumb drivers or breaking traffic laws.

Edit: This post is not directed at the OP.

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They exist to manage public safety and by doing so it generates revenue. I personally am glad that they are there. I have received six or seven tickets over the years and in every instance, I was in the wrong.

If we didn't have the presence of law enforcement on the streets, the average speed on the streets of town would probably be 60 to 70 mph and people would be ignoring stop signs and intesection lights and we would have a great increase in traffic accidents, serious injuries, and deaths.

Whenever I see people complaining, I always say, vote for elected leaders that reflect your values.

woodiewood said:

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Stupe said:

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For the record, I agree that they are there for traffic and revenue.

But I also think they are needed because of the way that a lot of drivers are in this town. I don't have an issue with the city making money off of people being dumb drivers or breaking traffic laws.

Edit: This post is not directed at the OP.

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They exist to manage public safety and by doing so it generates revenue. I personally am glad that they are there. I have received six or seven tickets over the years and in every instance, I was in the wrong.

If we didn't have the presence of law enforcement on the streets, the average speed on the streets of town would probably be 60 to 70 mph and people would be ignoring stop signs and intesection lights and we would have a great increase in traffic accidents, serious injuries, and deaths.

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Nobody here is asking for law enforcement to be removed from the streets.

Water the tree of liberty? [/possible sarcasm

Hornbeck said:

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maroon barchetta said:

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Graduation hats for Instagram props aren't going to pay for themselves.

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Water tower graphics depicting a water tower aren't cheap, either. /s

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Or 3 years of "sponsorships" to an existing business that is doing just fine that is open for two months out of the year totaling over 200k I believe

This is one year or possibly two years of the three
https://wtaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/CScoun082522SantasWonderlandContract.pdf

maroon barchetta said:

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woodiewood said:

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Stupe said:

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For the record, I agree that they are there for traffic and revenue.

But I also think they are needed because of the way that a lot of drivers are in this town. I don't have an issue with the city making money off of people being dumb drivers or breaking traffic laws.

Edit: This post is not directed at the OP.

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They exist to manage public safety and by doing so it generates revenue. I personally am glad that they are there. I have received six or seven tickets over the years and in every instance, I was in the wrong.

If we didn't have the presence of law enforcement on the streets, the average speed on the streets of town would probably be 60 to 70 mph and people would be ignoring stop signs and intesection lights and we would have a great increase in traffic accidents, serious injuries, and deaths.

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Nobody here is asking for law enforcement to be removed from the streets.

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I was commenting on a previous comment which has been editied that the traffic cops sole purpose is to generate money.

Are you referring to my post?

If so, I have never said that their only purpose was to generate revenue. Nor have I ever said that they weren't needed.

The only change that I made with my edit was to be clear that I wasn't calling the OP a dumb driver.

That would violate the "gentleman's agreement" the local press has with local entities that hire their colleagues as PIOs when they wanna get out of the news game….

Does anyone know a local traffic attorney who could comment on this?

Hornbeck said:

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But they wanna play shenanigans with their citizens by charging them an extra fiddy to "keep it off". It's despicable.

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They charge extra on utilities to pad the general fund, too.

maroon barchetta said:

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Councilman Yancy, would you please respectfully comment on the allegations of (yet another) money grab by the city that is affecting your constituents?

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I apologize I'm just seeing your request. I'll request some data and provide a more meaningful response later, but for now:

There have been numerous accidents, from fender benders to much more serious, caused by distracted driving. I would imagine that's why you see the "Gig em now, text em later" public information campaign everywhere.

Last week, at the northbound feeder entrance off Midtown Drive, I witnessed a young driver texting on his cell phone as his car drifted into traffic at highway speeds. (Right by the hospital). He realized late what he'd done, turned hard right and caught the wheel rut ditch worn deep by trucks (yes I've reported the rut) and damaged his rear bumper.

About 400 yards later, at the intersection of rock prairie and the feeder, the same guy was texting, head down, as he flew through the intersection, at speed.

I think everyone agrees there is a lot of distracted driving going on that can kill or maim in an instant.

So I will request the data, and I'll look for data trends that might indicate opportunism, but honestly as a father and grandfather I worry a lot about all the people I see who are "busy" in their phones while operating a deadly motor vehicle.

I hope that's fair. It's how I feel.

Respectfully

-yancy

Many of us are not questioning the tickets themselves. We are questioning the extra fee to get it off your record. In other words, the city treating it as a different violation than it actually is, telling people something not true (that this violation goes on your record so you must do deferred judification and pay the fee) in order to get the extra fee.

According to the state, this type of violation does not go on your record, so no need for taking the deferred and no need for the additional fee.

And for people in the department admitting it when others have called in to pay and then removing the fee.

Many have paid the fee and continue to do so.

agmom95 said:

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Many of us are not questioning the tickets themselves. We are questioning the extra fee to get it off your record. In other words, the city treating it as a different violation than it actually is, telling people something not true (that this violation goes on your record so you must do deferred judification and pay the fee) in order to get the extra fee.

According to the state, this type of violation does not go on your record, so no need for taking the deferred and no need for the additional fee.

And for people in the department admitting it when others have called in to pay and then removing the fee.

Many have paid the fee and continue to do so.

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Efforting an answer as we speak, ma'am. Please stand by.

This.

Anecdotal evidence of poor driving behaviors we all see everyday is a bad look. We just want to know why this fee is imposed.

Stucco said:

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Violations are criminal or civil. Almost all traffic violations are criminal. Only a select few are civil, such as parking tickets. Criminal convictions go on your criminal record (and potentially driving record), so yes, anything criminal you just paid the fine on would be on your criminal record.

It sounds to me like the $50 is part of the court costs for deferred disposition, which are permitted. I don't understand why this wouldn't have been clear to the OP though, as deferred disposition obligates the party to a probationary period during which they must avoid additional convictions of a similar nature, or face the return of this original violation.

Bob, as always, thank you for meeting us where we are and providing much needed context.

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Thank you. I hope this helps.

Are all cell phone usage violations Class C misdemeanors in Texas or is it because it's a College Station ordinance violation and they've chosen to make it class c? I don't know how that is determined.

Here are typical class c in Texas:

Disorderly conduct.
Criminal trespassing.
Simple assault.
Petty theft or shoplifting of items worth less than $50.
Passing bad checks worth less than $20.
Gambling.
Public intoxication.
Possession of alcohol or tobacco as a minor.

agmom95 said:

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Are all cell phone usage violations Class C misdemeanors in Texas or is it because it's a College Station ordinance violation and they've chosen to make it class c? I don't know how that is determined.

Here are typical class c in Texas:

Disorderly conduct.
Criminal trespassing.
Simple assault.
Petty theft or shoplifting of items worth less than $50.
Passing bad checks worth less than $20.
Gambling.
Public intoxication.
Possession of alcohol or tobacco as a minor.

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In Texas, the majority of moving violations and traffic tickets are class C misdemeanors.

Respectfully yours,

Bob Y

agmom95 said:

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Are all cell phone usage violations Class C misdemeanors in Texas or is it because it's a College Station ordinance violation and they've chosen to make it class c? I don't know how that is determined.

Here are typical class c in Texas:

Disorderly conduct.
Criminal trespassing.
Simple assault.
Petty theft or shoplifting of items worth less than $50.
Passing bad checks worth less than $20.
Gambling.
Public intoxication.
Possession of alcohol or tobacco as a minor.

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CS passed ORDINANCE NO. 2020-4158 establishing this as a misdemeanor punishable by fine only, making it a class c.

Texas defines it in 545.4251(e) and (f) as a misdemeanor punishable by fine only, making it a class c, unless the violation causes serious injury or death, in which case it can be considered a class a punishable by up to a $4000 fine and a year in jail.