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By Carol Arnett

The city of Manchester, Mo, was in the news recently when lawmakers there proposed a ban on texting while driving. Florissant has had this ban in effect since 2009. St. John is the only other city in St. Louis County with this ban.

The Florissant law passed with little dissent five years ago. It prohibits sending, reading or writing a text message while driving in the city.

According to Police Officer Andy Haarmann of the Florissant Police Department, the city has issued eight summonses for operating a motor vehicle while using a wireless electronic device since the law was passed.  The police department does not track verbal warnings issued “or stops specifically for that violation.” Haarmann said.

In Illinois, there has been a statewide ban on texting while driving since 2010. As of  Jan. 1 of this year, it is illegal in Illinois to use a cellphone in a car without a hands-free device. Missouri doesn’t have a law banning cellphone use while driving

Florissant Mayor Tom Schneider said that while the city does not issue many summons for texting, it can come into play after accidents. “We can check phone records, and possible issue an additional citation,” Schneider said.

Florissant also has a law requiring seatbelt usage, Schneider said. “The seatbelt law and the texting law also police officers to stop more people,” he said. “If someone calls about a suspicious vehicle, it give the police a reason to stop suspicious people.”

Schneider Update on Culvers

Mayor Tom Schneider told party-goers at the New Year’s Eve party for seniors that the city would soon be getting a Culver’s. After the meeting, he said that although he was confident, he did not have more details. “We’re real close but I don’t have a cigar yet,” he said. “We’re 998% there, but we don’t have 100%, so we don’t have a deal.”

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