Legislative Update: Hands Free bill gains support

Friends,

Last week I shared with you that I was introducing a bill to require hands free cell phone use while driving. I again want to thank you for the overwhelmingly positive response I have gotten in the couple of weeks since news of my bill broke.

The Hands Free bill now has a bill number (HF 1180), dozens of co-authors across both parties and geographically spread throughout the state, and a companion bill has also been introduced in the Senate.  The bill has been referred to the House Transportation and Regional Governance Policy Committee and is awaiting a hearing there.

I wanted to take a little time to answer a few commonly asked questions about what the Hands Free bill does to help keep our roads safe and save lives.

1. Can I use my cell phone while driving?  Yes, in a voice-activated or other hands-free mode.

2. Can I use my GPS?  Yes, these bills do not apply to GPS or navigation systems.

3. Can I use my phone as a GPS?  Yes, but only in a voice-activated or other hands-free mode while driving or part of traffic.

4. Can I pick up and use my phone in an emergency?  Yes.

5. Do these bills change the penalties?  No.  The current fines of $50, first ticket, $225, second and subsequent tickets plus court fees still apply.

6. Will this make the roads safer?  Yes, in two ways. 

• First, enforcement of the law will be much simpler.  If you have the phone in your hand while driving or in traffic, you are subject to enforcement.  Enforcement and education must be linked to improve driving behavior. 
• Second, two hands on the wheel are better than one.

7. Why now?

• 18% increase in distracted driving fatalities from 2014 to 2015.
• 1 in 4 crashes involves distracted driving.
• 1 in 5 traffic fatalities involves distracted driving.
• Distracted driving is now the fourth most common contributing factor in fatalities behind speed, impairment and fatigue.

8. How many states have hands-free cell phone laws?  14 states covering 110 million people.

9. Do hands-free laws increase enforcement?  Yes.  New York and Illinois, for example, have greatly increased enforcement.

10. Are the roads safer in states with hands-free laws?  It is too early to tell if the increased enforcement alone will reduce crash rates and severity.  A good comparison is seatbelt use.  It took some time before use rates changed and crash injuries fell.

11. Can I still use my CB radio?  Yes.  These bills do not change radio use requirements.

This week I met with the Minnesota Nurses Association to chat about their priorities this session.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at 651-296-5513 or emailing me at rep.mark.uglem@house.mn.

Thank you and have a great week,

Mark