There are two new laws going into effect Aug. 1 that will affect all Minnesotans, the “hands-free” law and the “slow-poke” law.

 

This week the Citizen-Tribune spoke with area residents about their thoughts on the hands-free law and how they see themselves being affected by it. Next week residents are being asked about the slow-poke law.

 

Beginning Aug. 1, drivers will no longer be able to hold their cell phones in their hands. Making calls, texting, getting directions and listening to music or podcasts will only be allowed if the driver uses voice commands or single touch activation without using the phone. 

 

“I applaud the legislature for passing the law,” said Clearwater resident Dan Torgerson. “It should have been passed long ago. Driving is a fulltime job; you shouldn’t be distracted. The law will definitely decrease, but not eliminate it.”

 

In states that have already passed hands-free laws, crashes and fatalities resulting from phone use were reduced significantly, which is the goal in Minnesota. Findings from the MN Dept. of Public Safety show that from 2014 to 2018 there were more than 60,000 crashes as a result of distracted driving in the state. These crashes result in an average of 45 deaths and 204 life-saving injuries a year.

 

Big Lake resident Linda Vollbrecht says she will only answer her phone in the car if she knows it’s important and she always has it on speaker mode.

 

“I’m always tempted to call people in,” she said. “Just the other day there was a guy swerving over the lines and going under the speed limit. I though he was drunk at first, but he had his phone to his ear.”

 

Becker resident Jayme Fox Winkelman said she thinks the law is great and hopes it will make people put their phones down.

 

“I see so many people on their phones while driving,” she said. “Especially people using Snapchat. We will need to look into options for our vehicle. Hopefully cell phone carriers will come out with some more accommodating devices for our vehicles.”

 

Nineteen-year-old Clearwater resident Mariah Schwartz doesn’t text or usually talk on her phone while she’s driving, but many of her friends do.

 

“I think the new law will keep people more aware of what they’re doing,” she said.

 

Clear Lake resident Jake Herbst uses his phone while driving, but his work truck now has Bluetooth and he also uses a headset.

 

“I don’t see the problem so much as talking as texting and whatever else people are doing,” he said.

 

Susie Brown and Maureen Havert, both from Palmer Twp., only use their phones when they get a call. Both have Bluetooth. 

 

“Too many people have been killed out of carelessness,” said Havert.

 

“It’s so scary to be behind someone when they’re on the phone and swerving all over,” said Brown.

 

Under the new law, hand-held phone use will only be allowed for emergency assistance and if there is an immediate threat to life and safety. Law enforcement officers are exempt when performing official duties.

 

Big Lake resident Scott Berthiaume uses his phone in the car, but often lets it go to voicemail unless he knows the number or is expecting a call.

 

“I don’t have Bluetooth now, but I’ll end up getting some sort of device to make it hands-free,” he said.

 

Torgerson was already seeing the problem escalating seven years ago when he was still driving from Clearwater to downtown Minneapolis every day.

 

“There were a whole lot of people talking on their phones or looking down at them then,” he said. “I see it a whole lot more now. It takes attention off the road.”

 

In his car his phone is paired to Bluetooth, texting is disabled and if he wants to use GPS he has to stop and put the car in park before entering the information. His car tells him who’s calling him visually and audibly, which he can choose to disregard or answer with the touch of a button.

 

Shelly Whitcomb says she drives from Becker to New Hope every day, and sees people talking, texting and even FaceTiming while driving. And the drivers are of all ages and types, from young to old and truck drivers to employees driving company vehicles.

 

“People think they’re such good drivers that nothing’s going to happen to them,” she said. “But I think it’s only a matter of time before they cause an accident. I hope this puts a serious impact on people to change their driving habits.”

 

If caught using a phone in their hand, drivers will receive a $50 ticket; subsequent tickets are $275.

 

Although the new law was put into place to make roads safer, drivers need to remember that hands-free doesn’t necessarily mean distraction-free.

 

“I think it’s great, but it can still be distracting to talk on the phone while driving, especially on a busy highway,” said Becker resident Angela Lambert. “It won’t stop people from texting and driving, which I see more of than people talking on their phones.”

 

“A phone call or text can wait, just like it did years ago when we didn’t have cell phones. A person’s life and your own are worth the wait!”

For more information on the new law, including ways everyone can go hands-free no matter what vehicle they drive, visit dps.mn.gov.