Crackdown sought on cellphone texters

Havre City Council members expressed support for a former council member who said the ordinance banning cellphone use while driving needs to be enforced or strengthened.

Bob Kaul told council members Monday night that he sees the ordinance being violated all the time.

Violators drive through stop signs, don’t look as they go through intersections and fail to see pedestrians, he said.

He said he saw one person driving down 5th Avenue the other morning with his laptop computer on the steering wheel.

Kaul said he supported the ordinance banning such driving, but said “if we aren’t going to enforce it, get rid of it and come up with something else.”

Police Chief Gabe Matosich said he sends out two officers at a time in unmarked cars to look for people texting while driving, and the number of citations has increased.

Officers in marked cars can also ticket people for violations, he said, ”but when people see a cop car, they usually stop texting,” he said.

He said City Judge Virginia Seigel has increased fines she imposes on illegal texters, he said.

While enforcement is effective, public education is also important, council members felt.

Council member Janet Trethewey asked Mayor Tim Solomon to investigate the possibility of some state funds to create an educational program.

Council member Caleb Hutchins suggested the city advertise that people will be paying hefty fines if they are cited.