Yaris in a fatal accident

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by MadMax

San Antonio passed an ordinance that went into effect on 1 Jan 2015 that prohibited the use of a mobile device while operating a motor vehicle. That includes calling, texting, GPS and not only while moving but also sitting at stop lights, etc. At first there was wide compliance, but since not a lot of citations have been written it appears people are beginning to ignore it. We need greater enforcement and even a state-wide ban!

Just out of curiosity, is there a specific definition of 'operating' that pertains just to that statute? Someone might be pulled into a parking space, have the emergency brake on, and just want to make some calls re their business. In another state, at this time of year, one might be able to comfortably do that without having to do anything else. In most of Texas, at this time of year, that same scenario would pretty much require one to also have the engine running to enable use of the A/C. Would that 'parked in a space scenario' technically be considered 'operating' just because engine needed to be engaged re the A/C?