Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

HAMILTON- Hamilton could become the latest Montana city to ban the use of cell phones while driving if the city council likes the idea and can work out the details.

Half-a-dozen cities in the Treasure State have already approved cell phone bans. Missoula was among the first more than two years ago, although the city only bans texting while driving and backed off from a complete phone ban. Bozeman was the most recent, approving a cell phone ban in November. The legislature has debated the issue but never approved rules, making it okay for phones to be used outside city limits.

Hamilton had briefly discussed a ban back when Missoula was changing its rules, but the move never got traction. Now the question is being raised again, with the city council's Committee of the Whole set to review the latest developments on Tuesday night.

That discussion is expected to include a review of what other cities, and especially the smaller cities like Whitefish, have included in their ordinances. For the cities, the question is often how to develop a law that's inclusive enough to cover all types of devices, especially with more smartphones on the road.

Monday night's meeting is just a preliminary discussion of whether to proceed with development of a proposed cell phone ban.