BOISE, Idaho — Not long after Meridian passed the first device-free driving ordinance in the Treasure Valley, Ada County could be joining in. County Commissioners are working on an ordinance banning the use of handheld devices while driving.
A spokesperson tells us the ordinance would be very similar to the one recently approved by Meridian city councilors, all in hope of keeping drivers and pedestrians safe.
"If you happen to be that person and you are in your car and you just happen to make that decision at that moment to look at your phone and start messing around with your phone and you hit a pedestrian or rear-end someone, the heartache that will cause you is just immeasurable, especially if you hit a pedestrian," Elizabeth Duncan, an Ada County Spokesperson said. "So this is good for everyone involved. It's just smart policy."
The ordinance would be in effect for Meridian and unincorporated spaces in Ada County immediately and each city would have to develop and enforce their own device free ordinances for it to take effect there.
