Bipartisan bill introduced to have Minnesota join fourteen other states with a “Hands Free” law for electronic devices while driving
SAINT PAUL – At a press conference on Tuesday, Rep. Mark Uglem (R-Champlin) and Rep. Frank Hornstein (DFL-Minneapolis) presented their bill to ban the use of cell phones while driving except for the use of a hands free device.
“With our Hands Free bill we are addressing an all-too-common problem on Minnesota roads,” said Rep. Uglem. “We have seen too many lives and families destroyed by tragic accidents caused by distracted driving. Something has to be done to make our roads safer and to save lives.”
This bill would have Minnesota join fourteen other states and the District of Columbia in banning hand-held cellphone use while driving. Minnesota is already one of 46 states to ban texting while driving.
“This bill will save lives and make our roads safer,” said Rep. Hornstein. “Distracted driving is a growing and urgent problem that the legislature must address.”
The Minnesota Safety Council President Paul Aasen also spoke at the press conference in favor of the bill. Calling the bill’s ban of hand-held use a “step forward” and was hopeful the ban will make Minnesota’s roads safer.
Devices that are exclusively for navigational purposes will be exempt from the hands free ban as will be first responders and someone contacting emergency assistance.
The bill will soon be introduced in the House and referred to committee.
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