This bill prohibits Montana drivers from holding or using portable electronic devices like cell phones while operating a vehicle, with exceptions for hands-free use, voice calls, and navigation. It specifically bans texting, watching videos, and recording or broadcasting video unless the device is permanently mounted or used for emergency purposes. Drivers caught violating the law face fines ranging from $75 to $250 depending on whether it is their first or subsequent offense. The law also clarifies that police officers cannot seize a driver's phone during a traffic stop unless other legal authority allows it.
This bill restricts the use of flashing, rotating, or continuous green lights on public highways to only two specific situations: snow removal equipment operated by the Department of Transportation or other government entities, and incident commanders managing on-scene traffic control. The law directly affects government agencies and traffic officials by clarifying when green lights are legally permitted for use on roads. By limiting green light usage to these defined scenarios, the bill aims to prevent confusion among drivers and ensure consistent traffic safety standards. The legislation codifies these restrictions within existing Montana traffic laws to provide clear legal guidance for law enforcement and road maintenance crews.
This bill updates Montana's DUI laws to allow law enforcement to use oral fluid tests alongside blood and breath tests for commercial vehicle operators. It directly affects drivers of commercial motor vehicles by expanding the types of tests officers can request when they have reasonable grounds to suspect alcohol impairment. The key provision adds oral fluid testing to the list of approved tests under the state's implied consent law, giving officers the authority to choose which test method to use. Additionally, the bill clarifies that refusing any of these designated tests results in license suspension, with stricter penalties for repeat offenders and those transporting hazardous materials. The legislation also updates legal definitions to include oral fluid as a valid substance for measuring alcohol concentration in DUI cases.
SB 359 would have prohibited holding or using handheld mobile devices while driving in Montana, including texting, watching videos, or recording content, except for hands-free navigation or voice calls. It would have required drivers to use hands-free devices for calls and navigation, with exceptions for emergency vehicles, law enforcement, and work-related radio use. Violations would have carried civil penalties of $75-$149 for a first offense and $150-$250 for repeat offenses. The bill aimed to reduce distracted driving by clarifying restrictions on device use and defining terms like "portable wireless communication device" in Montana law.
HB 312 revises speed limit laws for drivers in Montana. The bill increases the daytime speed limit to 75 miles per hour and the nighttime speed limit to 70 miles per hour on national highways that have been expanded to four lanes and are at least 15 miles long, except in special speed zones. It also updates the penalty section to reflect these new speed limits, maintaining that minor speeding violations (up to 10 mph daytime or 5 mph nighttime) are generally not recorded against a driver's record, with specific exceptions for commercial drivers or high-speed violations on interstates.
SB 508 revises Montana's driving under the influence (DUI) laws concerning tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for younger drivers. This bill establishes that for individuals under 21 years of age, having any detectable amount of THC in their system constitutes a DUI offense. This means there is no specific THC concentration threshold for drivers under 21, unlike the 5 ng/ml limit for adult drivers. The change applies to any amount of THC, excluding inactive metabolites, found in a driver under 21.
Bill LC 3985 proposed creating a grant program to cover fees for teen driver education programs. The bill aimed to provide financial assistance, making these programs more accessible for teenagers. By covering the costs of enrollment, it would directly benefit young individuals seeking to obtain a driver's license and their families.
HB 773, known as "Noah's Act," aimed to streamline transportation planning by reducing redundant reviews for certain projects. It would have eliminated the need for the Transportation Commission to re-review long-range transportation plans and associated projects that were already adopted by Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and approved by the Department of Transportation. Instead, these projects, including urban street and nonoperational safety improvements, would be approved by a department district administrator. For communities without MPOs, department district administrators would also gain authority to approve smaller projects without Commission approval, intending to enhance local transportation efficiency.
SB 471 revises vehicular traffic laws to enhance pedestrian safety at crossings by creating the offense of "endangerment of pedestrians." It establishes a tiered system of fines for drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, with higher penalties for violations occurring at crosswalks equipped with activated pedestrian-actuated devices. Drivers are also made liable for the cost of repairing or replacing any pedestrian-actuated devices they damage. Additionally, the bill clarifies driver responsibilities at flashing pedestrian-actuated devices, requiring them to yield and remain stopped until the pedestrian has crossed, or proceed with caution if unable to stop safely.
HB 739 revises traffic laws to improve safety when motor vehicles encounter agricultural vehicles on highways. The bill requires motor vehicle operators to reduce their speed when approaching an agricultural vehicle, either matching its speed if traveling in the same direction or reducing to half the posted limit if traveling in a different direction. It also mandates that agricultural vehicle operators move off the roadway or onto the shoulder when a line of vehicles forms behind them to allow other traffic to pass. These provisions directly affect anyone operating a motor vehicle or an agricultural vehicle on public roads.
