AUSTIN, Texas – It's the start of senior Austin Police Officer Thomas Adams' shift.
"How are you doing sir?" he asks a driver he's pulled over.
It didn't take long for him to spot someone talking on a cell phone.
"You were on your cell phone," Adams told him.
Sunday, Feb. 1, a month after the hands-free ordinance went into effect, Austin police are enforcing the rule and ticketing offenders.
The driver of this car is visiting from Houston and didn't know about the new rule.
"I've been educated and I think that's a part of law enforcement is to educate the population and I think it's a good thing," James Wilson said.
There are signs as drivers enter Austin warning of the hands-free ordinance, but Adams understands, those signs can be missed.
Adams gives this driver a warning, but he didn't have to.
"Officers do have discretion over whether they issue a ticket or issue a warning," Adams said.
Drivers and bicyclists aren't allowed to touch any electronic device while driving – that includes iPods, cell phones and GPS.
Even a month after the ordinance went into effect, it's easy to spot drivers breaking the rule all over the city.
"I think it'll become more real as soon as people realize they're actually getting stopped for it," Adams said.
If you see these flashing lights while holding your cell phone, you could face a fine of up to $500.
