Lawmaker Works to Ban Cell Phone Use While Driving

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Lawmakers at the State Capitol are pushing to ban using cell phones while driving all together in Minnesota. This is a surprising announcement as the Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court will be stepping down after only two years on the job.

Despite countless stories of crashes caused by cell phones, many drivers still keep talking on their cell phones, while driving. But one lawmaker wants to cut off the calls; no cell phones behind the wheel and no exceptions.

DFL senator Terry Bonhoff is the author of the bill.

Initially, she was going to propose allowing hands-free devices only while driving, similar to seven other states, including New York and California, but she looked at evidence showing hands-free is just as distracting as hands on. So, she’s going for the total ban, which is already the case with young provisional drivers.

"We tell them they shouldn't be talking and driving,” said Bonhoff. “We're no different. We as adults are just as distracted as our young people are."

Bob Bass with AT&T says they're also neutral on hands-free. But, he says, at least hands-free isn't much different than talking with a passenger or listening to the radio.