Last updated: May 14, 2013
Distracted driving update: A bill that would have barred drivers in Montana from using handheld communications devices such as cell phones didn’t make it out of committee and is dead for the year.
State Sen. Christine Kaufmann’s bill permitted hands-free use of smartphones and similar devices by drivers 18 years old and above. Younger drivers would not have been able to use cell phones or text message while behind the wheel.
The bill sought to close potential loopholes by outlawing having the devices “in the person’s immediate physical possession,” which apparently means touching them.
The bill was introduced in mid-March. Kaufmann’s bill failed in 2011 as well.
Missoula’s ban on the use of handheld cell phones while driving went into effect Feb. 5. Fines range from $100 to $500. Missoula already has a ban against text messaging while behind the wheel.
Missoula is the latest city in the state to take action on cell phones. At least seven other Montana cities have laws against distracted driving: Bozeman, Helena, Whitefish, Butte-Silver Bow, Hamilton, Great Falls and Billings.
Montana is one of 11 states without a ban on text messaging by all drivers.
Current statewide prohibitions:
None.
2013 distracted driving legislation (dead):
Senate Bill 390: Would prohibit use of handheld electronic communications devices such as cell phones while driving in Montana. Hands-free OK. Having the device in “immediate physical possession” would be outlawed as well (apparently this means touching it). Fine: $50 (first offense), then $100 (second offense), then $200. Additional $100 fine for committing a moving violation while using the wireless device. No points. Died in Highways and Transportation Committee as of April 24. (Kaufmann)
Distracted driving notes (2013):
Missoula’s ban on use of handheld cell phones while driving went into effect Feb. 5. The 10-1 Missoula City Council vote came Nov. 5, 2012. Specifically, the new law (amendment) prohibits “the use of mobile telephones and other electronic communication devices.” It also applies to bicyclists. Councilman Dave Strohmaier pushed for the ban for several years. In 2009, the council OK’d a cell phone ban, but the mayor vetoed it.
“I think we saved lives by passing the (new) cellphone ordinance,” Missoula Councilman Alex Taft told the Missoulian. “Not as many as if we had a full ban, but I think it’s great progress.” Another councilman had warned that Missoula was “eclipsed” by the other major cities in Montana with handheld cell phone bans.
Hamilton’s law against use of handheld electronic devices while driving inspired as many as 60 tickets traffic stops and a half dozen tickets, the police chief said in late February 2013. The ordinance went into effect July 5 with enforcement beginning two months later. Despite local concerns over enforcement, “The ordinance is going fine,” the chief told the Missoulian. Councilman Al Mitchell had urged the city to step up “instead of kicking and screaming and being Montanans about our individual rights.”
2012 distracted driving notes:
Kalispell’s City Council shot down a ban on use of handheld electronic devices while driving in city limits. The 6-3 vote came Dec. 17, 2012. “The state needs to do it,” one opponent said. Councilman Jim Atkinson pushed for the legislation.
The Missoula City Council approved a ban on drivers’ use of handheld cell phones on Nov. 5, 2012. The city already has a ban on texting while driving.
Hamilton’s law against use of handheld electronic devices while driving went into effect July 5, with a 60-day warning period following. (see 2013 notes)
Great Falls police began writing tickets in September under the city ordinance against motorists text messaging and using handheld cell phones. “We do not want to be a statistic,” City Attorney James Santoro told commissioners in June, before final approval. The ordinance “will probably save some lives,” a commissioner said. Fines $100 for the first offense and up to $500 for repeat offenders. The Great Falls distracted driving ordinance also applies to bicyclists. The City Council rejected a similar law several years ago.
Bozeman’s ban on texting and handheld cell phones went into effect Jan. 17, and police began writing tickets a month later. Fines $100. Seventy drivers were stopped and warned during the monthlong grace period that ended in mid-February. The law also applies to bicyclists using public highways.
Helena’s ordinance prohibiting motorists and bicyclists from using handheld cell phones and similar electronic devices went into effect Dec. 7, 2011. Hands-free OK. Enforcement is primary with $100 tickets.
2011 distracted driving legislation (dead):
Senate Bill 251: Would ban use of handheld cell phones and other mobile electronics devices while driving in Montana. Text messaging included. Hands-free OK. Fines: $100, no points. Latest action: Approved and amended by the Senate Transportation Committee. Rejected twice by the Senate on March 18. Dead. (Kaufmann)
2011 cell phone, text messaging notes:
The state Senate rejected a 2011 bill that would have prohibited use of handheld cell phones and text messaging while driving in Montana. It had been approved twice by the Transportation Committee. Sen. Christine Kaufmann, D-Helena, was the sponsor.
Bozeman city commissioners voted Nov. 28, 2011, to outlaw cell phone use and texting while driving. The distracted driving law took effect Jan. 17, 2012. After Feb. 17, $100 tickets will be handed out. Also prohibited are GPS data entry, and the use of various handheld devices and laptop computers. Bicyclists also are barred from using handheld cell phones while on a highway.
Helena city commissioners approved a ban on all cell phone use and texting while driving Nov. 7. It went into effect Dec. 7 and the warning period ends Jan. 7. A new amendment to the legislation allowing hands-free operation removed the original prohibition on all cell phone use by drivers. Bicycles included. Fines top out at $100. Commissioner Dan Ellison pushed for the law and later introduced the hands-free amendment after hearing public feedback. (Read the Helena distracted driving ordinance.)
Billings’ distracted driving law yielded almost 200 tickets in its first year, with twice as many warnings issued.
Whitefish’s ban on use of handheld cell phones went into effect Sept. 20. Police said their goal “is to educate the public and prevent violations rather than having a hard and fast rule dictating officer action.” No warning period. “It’s been well publicized,” the police chief said Sept. 7. The law specifically bans the touching of a handheld communications device while driving, including GPS units.
Half of Montana high school students surveyed admitted to text messaging while driving in the past month, the state Office of Public Instruction reports. 53 percent reported using a cell phone while driving. The survey was released in July and conducted in February.
The Butte-Silver Bow Commission voted April 6 to ban the use of handheld cell phones while behind the wheel. The ordinance went into effect May 6, with ticketing as of June 16.
SB 251 sponsor Sen. Christine Kaufmann, D-Helena, rounded up supporters for her bill such as the Montana Highway Patrol, the Montana Police Protective Association and mobile phone carrier Verizon Wireless. The groups provided testimony in favor of the distracted driving legislation at a Jan. 3 hearing. The state Libertarian Party chairman was the sole opposing voice, calling it a bid for revenues and just “feel-good legislation.” The bill eventually failed.
State Sen. Bruce Tutvedt, R-District 3, filed a 2011 bill draft request (LC0461) titled “Include distracted driving in other driving offenses.” The draft request status was changed to “on hold” as of Nov. 23, 2010. Tutvedt sits on the transportation committee.
2010 cell phone, text messaging notes:
The Montana Highway Patrol reports that in 2009, almost 100 deaths were linked to cell phone use by drivers. That compares with 63 deaths blamed on drunken driving. Commissioner Dan Ellison is doing the pushing.
Billings has banned text messaging and use of handheld cell phones while driving in city limits. Includes motorcycles and bicycles. Cell phones and related handheld devices were added to the current distracted driving ordinance in a City Council vote July 26, 2010. Final approval came Aug. 23 and the distracted driving prohibitions went into effect Oct. 31. Fines typically $110 but can be up to $300 (first offense) then up to $500. As of April 2011, 50 warnings and 10 citations have been written under the law.
2009 legislation (dead):
SB 278: Use of handheld cell phones and “mobile electronic devices” would be prohibited for all drivers. Cites PDAs, text-messaging devices, video game players and laptop. Allows for use of cell phones with hands-free listening and speaking devices. This bill marked “died in process” in late April 2009 after it cleared the Highways and Transportation Committee.
HB 49: Would have prohibited use of cell phones and text messaging devices on highways near most cities and in a school zone. Tabled in committee on Feb. 6, 2009.
2009 distracted driving notes:
The city of Missoula banned texting while driving, effective July 1, 2009. Fines range from $100 to $350. The mayor vetoed a cell phone ban that had been approved by city lawmakers. The Missoula text messaging ban also applies to cyclists. As of early May 2011, 16 citations have been handed out under the law.
A plan to prohibit cell phone use by drivers died in committee in April 2007. There was no Montana legislative session in 2008.
Apparently, Montana will be one of the last states to come to its senses and ban cell phone use while driving. Will it take the death of a poltitician’s relative before government sees the light on this issue? Read the studies and look at the statistics. How can you not do something about this when the evidence points to how dangerous the practice is, hand held or hands free doesn’t make any difference. Come on, wake up.
I did not find it to be a problem when I lived there. Now then, I grew up in a town of about 150 people and no cell phone service until 2010. Moving back home, I just packed my Blackberry away and did without it as did many others. I kept a pre-paid unit for road emergencies only. On the other side of the coin, in Phoenix I was struck by 19 yr old girls with cell phones while on my motorcycle two times in one year. I understand the issue in places. BozAngeles really needs the help!
I believe in the no-texting law that needs to be enforced strictly. I do not believe that a no-cell phone use as far as talking is any more of a distraction than a person eating or applying make up down the road. There are hands-free devices that require more attention than an actual phone call so I am not sure that this is the real answer. Our society has put more pressures on going faster, farther and better. If we were all to take a step back where would progress be?
Good, I’d rather have a telephone at home, so I can drive past a traffic problem until I can get home or find a pay phone
Nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced. — Albert Einstein
Hands free units are actually more distracting than the actual cell phones. Is Cindy the only one on here that has noticed this? I use my phone for business all the time, I’m not going to miss out on jobs because the city or state bans their use. Instead I am going to do the bare minimum to make it look like I am compliant.
Well I have to agree with Cindy yet I am total with the law on banning the cell phones altogether while driving. I lost my niece last year from drinking and driving and texting going 80 miph on a dirt road. Trying to get home in a hurry and was not wearing a seatbelt on top of it. Now did she know better YES she did yet her judgement was not there. She was distracted texting her last words were “thanks for a …” Now she’s no longer here. Only 23yrs old had finished College and had a bright future. So Yes Government needs to wake up and put stiffer laws out there.