Minnesota’s new Hand-Free Cellphone Law goes into effect next week. Beginning August 1, law enforcement can pull over drivers for holding their cellphones. Drivers will still be allowed to use their phones for several things including calls and navigation, in hands-free or single-touch mode according to Crookston Police Chief Paul Biermaier. “The new law allows drivers to use their phones to make calls, they can text, listen to music, podcasts or get directions,” said Biermaier. “But they can only do that by voice command or single-touch activation without holding the phone. What we have to remember though is hands-free is not necessarily distraction-free.”
The new law does not allow the phone to be held or used for any video calling or viewing, non-navigation apps, reading, scrolling, or typing. The cellphone is a unique challenge says Biermaier, adding there are still plenty of other distractions to be aware of aren’t covered by the law. “Some of the other distractions are eating, grooming, pets – including sitting on your lap, that’s a distraction – reading a book,” said Biermaier. “The question is, why aren’t they covered in this law. Those fall under the whole category of distracted driving. But the cellphone is specifically listed because it presents a unique and complex challenge. Even though a driver is still expected to avoid other distractions and drive with due care under Minnesota Law, it is the cellphone distraction that is so common and prevalent with everybody across the age spectrum.”
Biermaier says that traffic fatalities have decreased significantly in most states where hands-free laws have been enacted. “This will make the roads safer in a couple of ways,” said Biermaier. “So far, in twelve of the fifteen states with hands-free laws, traffic fatalities have decreased by an average of 15 percent. That’s a pretty huge number. This job also specifically helps law enforcement because we get to see the violations. If we somebody holding the phone in there hand its easier for us to see that and enforce the law. Through enforcement, our roads will be safer because we’re going to try to put a stop to those people that are violating the law.”
There are many ways to go hands-free if you’re not currently doing so says Brost Chevrolet’s David Brost. “You can buy an earphone that has a microphone in it,” said Brost. “The easiest way is to pair your phone to your current car or truck. Another option is to buy an auxiliary cable and connect it to your earphone jack. If your car is older, you can buy an adaptor that will fit into your cassette player, and you can buy a clip for your phone to fit onto the dash. Lastly, you can buy a Bluetooth speaker or earphone to pair with your phone. We also have a few aftermarket choices for Bluetooth options here at the store.”
Bluetooth radios with hands-free or one-touch capabilities are standard in most new cars including Chevy’s says, Brost. “All of our cars have the MyLink system built in,” said Brost. “It takes 10 to 20 seconds to pair up your current smartphone with all the Chevy vehicles. That brings you up to all the current specs and laws. It’s very easy, all the Chevy’s have it, and we can pair up all your phones up to it. Come out and see us.”
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