WEST UNIVERSITY, Texas -- Texting and surfing the Internet could soon be against the law for drivers in a Houston suburb, KPRC Local 2 reported Monday.

West University's city council is expected to vote Monday night on whether to ban text messaging and surfing the web while driving.

Earlier this month, the council gave initial approval to the proposal, which would ban texting and web searching on a wireless device, including viewing, sending or composing a message while driving.

If the measure is approved, it will take effect immediately.

The proposal was brought up before city council after West U police researched the dangers of texting while driving.

Making calls, communicating while stopped, or using an installed GPS or navigation system would be permitted, and emergency contacts -- to report an accident or crime, deal with a medical emergency or communicate if a driver is concerned for his or her safety -- are also exempt in the proposal, according to authorities.

West University Place was the first city in Texas to ban cell phone use in school zones.