HELENA – The Montana Senate rejected a bill Wednesday to outlaw talking or texting on a handheld cell phone while driving.
Senate Bill 278 would have allowed a fine of $100 for the offense. It failed on a 32-17 vote.
The measure introduced by Democratic Sen. Christine Kaufmann of Helena did not apply to phones used with accessories that allow drivers’ hands to remain free.
The Montana Highway Patrol says at least 143 crashes were caused by cell phones in the state in 2007, an increase of 40 from the year before.
At least six other states prohibit talking on handheld devices while driving.
Kaufmann’s bill set stricter limits than a similar House bill that has also been tabled. That bill would have restricted phone prohibitions to within city limits.