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A Helena City Commissioner believes that cell phones are a distraction while driving and he wants the City Commission to look at drafting language to address it.

Commissioner Dan Ellison says talking, texting and using handheld devices while operating a vehicle is dangerous.

Currently Missoula and Billings have ordinances addressing cell phone usage while driving.

Helena Police Chief Troy McGee says last year 7 out of 1,000 car accidents in Helena were caused by cell phone usage, although he notes that determining that a cell phone caused a wreck is difficult to do.

Commissioner Ellison says he isn't sure whether he wants to outright ban cell phone usage in cars or just limit it. He just wants the Commission to look at addressing the issue.

"There is a reason why close to 60 countries have outright bans on the use of cell phones when driving. I think we need to explore it and do what we can to make our streets safer and make it safer for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists," Ellison says.

City Manager Ron Alles is going to look at the Billings and Missoula ordinances and come to the Commission with some ideas in the upcoming weeks.