City of Pocatello to begin ticketing hands free ordinance violators

Since December, Pocatello Police officers have been pulling over violators of the city’s hands-free ordinance and issuing them warnings.

Come Monday, drivers who are found to be in violation of the ordinance will be ticketed.

According to Lt. Eric Anderson, starting on March 11, first-time violators will receive a $136.50 citation. But if a driver racks up four violations over a two year period they will be charged with a misdemeanor.

Anderson said that many drivers have still been breaking the law, even though the ordinance has been in place for several months.

“That’s why we wanted to give a grace period to the citizens and we’ve done the press release throughout the city,” Anderson explained. “Just so everybody knows March 11 we’re gonna start writing them.”

Anderson said he felt that was fair, given how long the public has known about the ordinance.

If you need to use your phone while in the vehicle, Anderson recommends you use a Bluetooth device to do so.

“Distracted driving is a big thing and it causes a lot of accidents,” Anderson said. “Texting, eating, drinking, I recommend just focus on the road and drive.”