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Afton council approves hands‑free driving ordinance on first reading with six‑month education period
Summary
The council approved Ordinance 691 prohibiting driving while using handheld electronic devices, agreeing to an educational/trial period (about six months) before active enforcement; language and enforcement timing were discussed during the meeting.
The Afton Town Council passed Ordinance 691 on first reading to prohibit driving while using handheld electronic communication devices, adopting an education period before enforcement.
Chair introduced the ordinance and the council discussed the title and scope (hands‑free versus device‑free driving). Committee members queried whether the ordinance should explicitly prohibit holding a device, how navigation and passenger use should be treated, and whether an education or trial period should be built into the ordinance to allow public outreach before active enforcement.
Council members agreed that an education period would help implementation. The chair proposed language making the ordinance effective six months after final adoption to allow for public education; staff noted the council could also adopt the ordinance and delay enforcement as a separate section. The chair moved to approve Ordinance 691 as amended with an educational time period; the motion passed on first reading with a voice vote of 'Aye.'
One council member observed that local enforcement will rely on discretion during the trial period and that the chief appeared to support an initial education window. Council members suggested the council or staff draft clear language for the ordinance's effective date and enforcement approach before subsequent readings.
Ending: The ordinance passed its first reading with an education/trial period; staff will prepare final ordinance language for the next reading and implementation planning.
