"There's not a perfect law, but when we do pass a law or an ordinance we're just giving our best judgment on what will promote the health, the safety and the welfare of the citizens in the community," said Councilwoman Blanche Brick. "And certainly, I think any ordinance that focuses on hands on the wheel and eyes on the road has got to be a help. This is what we must have."

McCollum said voluntary compliance will be the "win-win scenario," with people recognizing the dangers of distracted driving and making the decision not to use their cellphones or other devices while on the road. "Unfortunately, education alone -- stated time and time again, study after study -- education alone has not worked," McCollum said. "So the only way that we can get people's attention, unfortunately, is to educate and to also have a consequence through effective enforcement."

McCollum also said the police department's objective is not to sit inside the Bryan-College Station city limits and issue citations, something Councilwoman Julie Schultz said she doesn't want to hear reports of. Schultz begrudgingly voted in favor of the ordinance, with the request that she wanted to see a long grace period given before citations are given and that the police department provide a report at the end of the upcoming school year on the number of crashes before and after the effective date of the rules.