A proposed city ordinance in Polson that would have banned using hand-held cell phones while driving was shot down, according to City Manager Todd Crossett.
A cell phone ban, fashioned after one enacted in Whitefish last year, was first proposed at the Jan. 18 city commission meeting. Commissioner and former Polson Mayor Mike Lies said he proposed the ban after he was almost hit by a driver talking on a cell phone.
“It’s basically a safety issue. There have been, I’m sure, many close calls and people should be focusing on driving and not talking and texting,” Lies said in an interview with the Beacon in early February. “I know one of these days there’s going to be an accident and someone is going to get hurt.”
But the proposed ordinance met stiff resistance from the public. Polson resident Johna Morrison said the ban was “worthless” and cited similar laws in Missoula that have had little effect. Also, since Polson is located on the Flathead Indian Reservation, Police Chief Wade Nash said the law would be difficult to enforce unless the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes passed a similar rule.
The concerns of Morrison and Nash were echoed at a public hearing on Feb. 22, when the commission opposed the ordinance.
“There was significant public comment in opposition of the ordinance,” Crossett said. “It doesn’t look like it has much traction at this time.”