Come February, Battle Creek drivers could be cited by police if they are seen driving and using a cellphone.

Commissioners on Tuesday approved the introduction of an ordinance modifying the city's Uniform Traffic Code to make it a civil infraction if a driver is seen using a phone, whether it be to text, surf the internet or talk without a hands-free device.

The ordinance would have certain exceptions for using a phone while driving including reporting crimes, road hazards and emergencies.

"It is not going to be a silver bullet to address all the distracted driving we have here," Battle Creek Police Chief Jim Blocker said. "It’s just one more tool we will have accessible to us."

A first offense citation for violating the ordinance would cost the driver $100 and any second or subsequent offense would be $200.

The commission is expected to vote on the ordinance in February. If approved, it would take effect 10 days after that.

Blocker noted the limitations that exist with the state statute created to deter drivers from distracted driving. The statute does prohibit texting while driving, but does not stop a driver from holding a phone or talking on it while driving.

Two other municipalities, Troy and Detroit, have distracted driving ordinances.

Battle Creek's ordinance was first discussed by the city's Bicycle Advisory Committee in 2017. Bike riders on the committee brought their concerns to commissioners about distracted driving.

"They were seeing quite frequently distracted driving as the result of cellphone use," At-Large Commissioner Kaytee Faris said.

Since the ordinance only applies in the city of Battle Creek, there will be signs installed at the city's jurisdictional boundaries. The signs are estimated to be about $160 each. The total cost for the signs will be $4,822.

"It is not going to be a silver bullet to address all the distracted driving we have here," Battle Creek Police Chief Jim Blocker said. "It’s just one more tool we will have accessible to us."

Blocker noted the limitations that exist with the state statute created to deter drivers from distracted driving. The statute does prohibit texting while driving, but does not stop a driver from holding a phone or talking on it while driving.

Contact Kalea Hall at (269) 966-0697 or khall@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow her on Twitter at @bykaleahall.