Driver's have been warned and now they can be fined. Minnesota's new Hands-Free law takes full effect Thursday. Full details of the new law can be found here.
In a nutshell, drivers can use their phones as normal, but only through voice commands or single touch activation without holding the phone.
The only time you can hold a phone in your hand while driving is during an emergency situation. First time offenders face a $130 fine over $300 in fines for subsequent violations.
Other laws to note:
Not to be outdone, two other laws worth noting begin Thursday.
- The so-called "slowpoke law", where slower drivers must use the right lane and allow others to pass, or face a $50 fine.
- It is also now a crime to grope a person's buttocks without consent.
- E-cigarette users must follow the same indoor air quality rules as traditional cigarette smokers, and will not be allowed to vape inside public spaces, workplaces, restaurants and bars.
- Residents in assisted living facilities are allowed to install hidden monitoring cameras, and some parents in certain circumstances who have lost their parental rights will have a slightly easier time getting them back.
