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MERIDIAN, Idaho (AP) — One of the largest cities in Idaho has banned the use of a hand-held phone while driving.
Meridian's city council approved the ordinance Tuesday, prohibiting the use of hand-held devices any time a vehicle is in a traffic lane.
The ban doesn't include hands-free devices that use features like voice activation, and it includes some exceptions for things like navigation and use by first responders.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says hand-held cellphone use while driving is banned in 16 states, including Oregon, Washington and Nevada.
Similar bans have passed in Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Hailey and Ketchum, but Meridian is the first city in the Boise region to pass a ban.
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