“Cammack police to ticket drivers on the phone in school zone”

Cammack police to ticket drivers on the phone in school zone

Posted: 13 Nov 2010 08:38 PM PST

In Cammack Village a new ordinance is now in place. It restricts cell phones in the school zone, this after a few close calls with kids actually brushed by cars.

The city council past the phone free zone ordinance this school year to keep kids safe. During the two busiest times of the day at Jefferson Elementary there will be some harsh penalties if you are on your cell phone.

Cammack Village is a city of about 900 folks nestled in Little Rock, but during the school year the population grows by the hundreds within 30-minutes because of Jefferson Elementary school. And with the hustle and bustle in the mornings and afternoons, drivers using their phones put kids at risk.

Cammack Chief of Police Peter Powell says, "We're had some instances when parents weren't paying attention because they were talking on a cell phones or other distractions and they've ended up rear ending each other. We've had some incidents where they have actually bumped children who were crossing the street."

That's why this school year, the city council past an ordinance to reduce distractions by banning cell phone in the school zone. It's only about 4-blocks, but an important stretch of road.

Parent Kacy Burge says, "I'm glad they're paying attention to it so mine are safer too."

Duong Le walks her daughter to and from school, but when she can't she is reassured everyone's eyes are on the roads and 5-year-old Annie. Le adds, "We feel we are very safe and people look at the streets and look at us rather than just looking at their cell phone or doing some texting."

As a reminder officers heavily patrol the area, they haven't written a $100 fine or 10-days of community service citation, but parents are the recipients of most the warnings.

Ten-year-old Jack is grateful for the phone free zone. He says "I am concerned about kids not getting hit by cars and stuff, plus I really don't think drivers should be texting or anything while they're driving."

So far this school year there have been no accidents or injuries and you are allowed to use a hands free phone in the school zone.

The police department is giving parents and residents time to change their phone habits before they start passing out tickets

The police department is giving parents and residents time to change their phone habits before they start passing out tickets.

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