Hang up the phone and drive, jackass.

[Shockeye]

Cell phone use in cars banned for new drivers

Associated Press
July 15, 2005

The Legislature has a message for teenagers who like to yap on their cell phones while they're driving -- Knock it off.

In the transportation omnibus bill that was signed into law Thursday, there's a measure that prohibits learners permits holders and provisional drivers from using cell phones while driving.

Sen. Steve Murphy said younger drivers are easily distracted. It's best that when they are learning to drive, they focus on the rules of the road, he said.

Traffic accidents are a leading cause of death for teenagers. While researchers have had a hard time showing a direct link between cell phone use and accidents, a number of studies have shown that talking on a cell phone while driving slows reaction time.

The Minnesota law takes effect August 1.