Minnesota lawmakers are moving closer to making it illegal to hold a cell phone while driving unless the phone is being used in a "hands-free" mode.
A bill passed the Senate Monday by a 56-10 vote following hours of debate, and vote many say all but assures passage during the current legislative session.
"In my estimation, operating a motor vehicle on the highway today is probably the most dangerous daily activity that most of us enter into," said state Senator Scott Newman (R-Hutchinson), who authored the bill. "But when we take that cellphone along and we introduce the use of that cellphone in that dangerous activity of driving, we have just increased the danger expodentially."
One amendment to the bill that was passed includes allowing drivers to use phones tucked under a hijab or other piece of clothing.
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The House passed its own version of a hands-free bill last week, that makes exceptions for emergency situations and one-touch activation features on cell phones.
The Senate version allows for the use of popular GPS navigation and traffic APPS while driving.
Those differences need to be worked out in conference committee, after which both houses would vote on the compromise.
Gov. Walz has indicated he would sign into a law a hands-free bill.
There are 16 other states with hands-free laws.
