An ordinance banning the use of hand-held cellphones while driving passed a second vote Monday at the Whitefish City Council meeting.

The ban takes effect 90 days from passage and includes the use of any hand-held communication device within city limits while operating a motor vehicle on a public highway.

The council unanimously approved the ordinance, although council member Phil Mitchell said people should take responsibility for their own actions.

“We can make all the rules we want,” he said, “but it doesn't mean people will follow them.”

Mayor Mike Jenson noted that Whitefish’s ordinance might send a message to the state that there is support for this type of restriction.

Whitefish joins Missoula, Billings and Butte as Montana cities that have passed some sort of cellphone ordinance. Billings prohibits the use of any electronic device while driving, while Missoula’s ordinance involves only text messages.

Jan Metzmaker, speaking on behalf of the Whitefish Convention and Visitor Bureau, said the group is concerned about tourists in Whitefish who may not know about the ordinance.

The bureau is scheduled to launch a smartphone application this summer and is encouraging visitors to use their cellphones while in town, Metzmaker said.

“It’s not a good idea to drive with your cellphone, but we don’t want it to be open season on tourists,” she said.

She asked that if police intercept a visitor driving with a hand-held device, they should do their best to make it a pleasant experience for them.

“Use a light hand, perhaps, for our visitors,” she said.

Violators will be issued a misdemeanor civil citation. Signs will be placed at each entrance to town informing drivers of the local ordinance. The use of hands-free devices, including Bluetooth, ear pieces or speaker phones, will be allowed under the ordinance.