A. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person may not operate a vehicle while using a handheld mobile telephone to engage in a call or while using a mobile electronic device.
B. Subsection A of this section does not apply to:
1. The use of a handheld mobile telephone for the sole purpose of communicating with any of the following regarding an emergency situation:
a. An emergency response operator;
b. A hospital, physician's office, or health clinic;
c. An ambulance company or service;
d. A fire department; or
e. A police department.
2. Any of the following persons while in the performance of their official duties and within the scope of their employment:
a. A public safety officer as defined in section 44-4-401, Montana Code Annotated; and
b. A firefighter or operator of an ambulance or other authorized emergency vehicle as defined in section 61-8-102, Montana Code Annotated.
3. The use of a hands free accessory or hands free mobile telephone. (Ord. 3146, 11-7-2011)