Powell Ordinance Would Ban Cell Phone Use While Driving
Written by Andrew-Rossi on October 25, 2017
A proposed ordinance in Powell would ban the use of cell phones while driving.
The first reading of Ordinance Number 21 was approved unanimously by the Powell City Council at its meeting October 16th. The ordinance would prohibit driving while using a cellular telephone, with the potential for some exceptions – such as using the device in a hands-free manner.
According to an article in the Powell Tribune, the ordinance before the Council was based on a similar ordinance that is currently in use in Cheyenne, and has been very successful there. The ordinance was proposed by former Mayor and current Council member Scott Mangold, who said he was nearly run over in a crosswalk by a person using a cell phone.
The ordinance will come before the council for two more readings, on November 6th and November 20th, and if passed, could go into effect the day it is published in the Powell Tribune, according to City Attorney Sandee Kitchen. However, Police Chief Roy Eckerdt said he plans to recommend an effective date of January 1st.
