Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) – The Sioux Falls city council will not take up the issue of drivers who talk on their phone after all.
With 5 no votes to 3 yes votes; councilors killed an ordinance that would have made it illegal for drivers to talk on their phones while they are a member of traffic. Councilors Michelle Erpenbach, who proposed the ban, Rick Kiley, and Rex Rolfing provided the yes votes.
The ordinance would have made it illegal to use a handheld devices while “a member of traffic,” meaning when a vehicle is in motion, and in other situations such as when a vehicle is stopped at a stoplight or waiting for a train. Exceptions would include the use of a hands-free Bluetooth device or in the event of an emergency. An exception for the use of a dash-mounted GPS unit was also written into the ordinance.
There are some that feel the issue is still worth talking about. One resident addressed the council at the start of Monday’s meeting, saying he feels the issue “is above the pay grade” of the council, and that if drivers are to be banned from talking on the phone when their vehicle is in motion it should be through a public vote, and not a city ordinance.