Officers to begin hands-free enforcement

It’s time for new rules in Pocatello. Beginning Monday, March 11, Police will begin enforcing a new hands-free driving ordinance.

Officers will begin issue tickets to violators found with a phone to their ear or texting while driving. The law was approved December 6 and formally took effect December 12, but officers have been issuing warnings to motorists found in violation, so far.

“Up to this point, officers have been using the stops as a chance to educate the public on the new ordinance,” said Lieutenant Eric Anderson.

Under the ordinance, improperly using a mobile device is punishable as an infraction. Violators will be fined $80 per offense for the first three offenses and a fourth violation in two years is punishable as a misdemeanor. Exceptions are provided for using a device in instances such as while in a “voice-operated or hands free mode,” as a navigational aid, and for emergencies.

Police believe the ordinance will help reduce accidents. According to police records, since 2015 officers noted texting or cell phone use were involved in 33% of the citations issued for inattentive driving.

You can see the entire ordinance here.