MERIDIAN — The Meridian City Council passed a hands-free driving ordinance within city boundaries on Tuesday night.
The six councilmembers tied 3-3 on the issue, but Mayor Tammy de Weerd broke the tie with the deciding vote in favor of the proposal, which bans all handheld cell phone usage while driving.
Under the new ordinance, the only times you will be able to use the device while driving will be to activate a hands-free device or in the case of an emergency.
If you’re caught using the device for other reasons, it will result in an infraction and a $90 fine, plus court costs.
Meridian is the first city in the Treasure Valley to pass such a measure, although cities in other parts of Idaho have passed similar ordinances.
Police chief Jeff Lavey helped bring the change in city code to the city council.
