Starting Thursday, August 1, 2019, the Hands-Free Law comes into effect. This means that Minnesota drivers are not able to have their phones in their hand. The law prohibits making calls, texting, looking for music, gaming, and finding directions while driving. However, drivers are able to do these tasks by voice commands that do not require holding the phone.
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, “At no time may a driver hold the phone in their hand unless it’s to obtain emergency assistance, if there is an immediate threat to life and safety, or when in an authorized emergency vehicle while performing official duties.”
Why has Minnesota enacted this law? It will make roads safer, both by decreasing traffic fatalities due to distracted driving and by helping law enforcement see violations to take more effective action.
Want to learn more about this law? Visit https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/hands-free/Pages/default.aspx
Want to refresh on MN driving laws? Or taking your DVS test soon? Visit https://griver.org/learn for free driving tests under the "automotive" tab
Hands-Free Minnesota Law: Public Service Announcement Videos
English: https://youtu.be/sdCgUO92Uns
Spanish: https://youtu.be/pBNKuNwyTk8
Somali: https://youtu.be/WFpdjjH13AI
