Minn. bans hands-on phoning while driving
By:
Staff report
Drivers holding a cell phone while operating a vehicle in Minnesota can soon expect to get a ticket.
On Aug. 1, a new state law in Minnesota will require motorists to use hands-free devices while phoning on the road.
Sixteen states and the District of Colombia have similar distracted-driving laws. Sponsors of Minnesota’s bill, which was signed into law in April, say the experience of those states shows these laws save lives.
Col. Matt Langer of the Minnesota State Patrol says drivers can use their phones as long as it’s in hands-free mode. But he cautions that hands-free doesn’t mean distraction-free, and drivers should devote 100 percent of their attention to driving.
Minnesota already bans texting, emailing and web browsing while driving. The law will carry a $50 fine for the first violation and $275 after that.
