Distracted Driving Ordinance goes into effect Wednesday

Helena's cell phone ban officially goes into effect Wednesday. Beartooth NBC shows us how the city and its law enforcement are preparing for the change.

“I think the hope is that we'll have safer streets, especially by banning text and dialing, but also the handheld,” says Helena City Commissioner, Matt Elsaesser.  He says he is pleased with the distracted driving ordinance.  “We've passed a reasonable, enforceable ordinance that will be good for Helena,” says Elsaesser.

The ban applies to driving a motor vehicle and riding a bike. Under the new ordinance you can drive a motor vehicle if you have a Bluetooth or similar hands-free device. You can also put your cell's speakerphone on if you are pulled over and your vehicle is in park.

“Tomorrow we will be giving warnings for approximately the first 30 days so around January 7th, we'll start issuing citations,” says Helena Police Department Chief, Troy McGee. 

To issue those citations, HPD must have reasonable cause that someone is using their mobile device.  An officer will have to see somebody actually texting or actually on a cell phone to pull them over.  It won't be just because they think they might be; you physically gotta see it,” says McGee.

 Chief McGee says violating the distracted driving ordinance is a primary violation with a $100 penalty fine; however, there is an exception for emergency responders.  “But, we do have a policy, at least in our department anyway, of not using cellphones while operating a vehicle unless it's an emergency, so we'll still enforce our policy,” says McGee.

The ban only applies to the City of Helena but that won't prevent county officials from getting involved too.  “We don't typically enforce city ordinances such as open containers, things like that.  We will watch for it if someone's driving erratic.  That's when we'll probably get involved,” says Lewis and Clark County Sheriff, Leo Dutton.

Chief McGee says there will be signage put up especially around schools to remind people about the cell phone ban. If you'd like to review the distracted driving ordinance before it goes into effect

If you'd like to review the distracted driving ordinance before it goes into effect Click Here.

Story by Jess Armstrong, Beartooth NBC.
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