Years ago widows, next of kin, and grim-faced game wardens appeared before the Legislature to plead for a law banning loaded firearms in vehicles to prevent accidental deaths and maiming when the weapons inadvertently discharged.

The law was passed and even more people were killed or maimed, with game check station personnel coming close to being killed by guns going off accidentally. This happened as hunters, exhausted from pursuing game all day, rapidly tried to unload their weapons as they approached check stations usually in the dark. Citations were issued but the carnage continued.

Finally, grieving relatives, widows, and game wardens convinced the Legislature to remove the law. Unfortunately, people still continued to die and be maimed as they forgot or didn’t know the law was changed.

This process is repeating itself with HB297 which bans usage of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle on every public road in Montana to write, send, or read a written communication.

It is now being reported that people continue to text and use their cell phones illegally by holding the phone in their lap in municipalities that have banned the practice. This is even more dangerous than holding the device on the steering wheel and is increasing the chance of death and maiming. If HB297 is passed the odds of death will dramatically increase due to hiding the cell phone on the lap while texting at highway speeds. 

The problem of loaded guns in vehicles was solved by a public relations and educational campaign. Texting and driving problems can be solved the same way. If HB297 is passed, we will see an increase in deaths and maimed drivers instead of a decrease. We will then see a repeat of parents, next of kin, and this time grim-faced Highway Patrol officers in front of the Legislature asking for the law to be rescinded. This can all be avoided simply by defeating HB297. Call your representative at 406-444-4800 and ask them to defeat this bill. —Norm Johnson, Polson