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Jul 30, 2008 11:13 pm US/Central
New Law Means No DWT: Driving While Texting
(WCCO)
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The statute defines an electronic message as a "self-contained piece of digital communication that is designed or intended to be transmitted between physical devices." (File)
CBS
On Friday, Minnesota will join more than a dozen other states to limit text messaging while driving. The new law is one of the strictest in the country, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
"You're not able to read your email, send an email, sort through your messages," said Cheri Marti, Director of Traffic Safety. "It really is no reading or sending of any data communication while driving."
The statute defines an electronic message as a "self-contained piece of digital communication that is designed or intended to be transmitted between physical devices."
All cell phones and PDAs, including Blackberrys, are included.
The law also applies when a driver is stopped at a stop sign or sitting in traffic.
"The point of this is we don't want people taking their eyes off the road," said DFL Rep. Frank Hornstein, a lead sponsor on the bill.
Hornstein admits enforcement might be difficult.
"For me, it's not so much the enforcement as much as this is the law. And I think there's a lot of people that will stop this kind of behavior knowing it's the law," he said.
Law enforcement will take action from what they observe and their perceptions at the time. Each city will decide the fine, which can be up to $300.
Exceptions include if the wireless device is in hands-free mode, if you are making a cell call or if you need emergency assistance.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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