Community Corner

Ban Cellphones For Drivers?

A federal agency and Gov. Mark Dayton both support the idea.

After a decade of investigation, the federal National Transportation Safety Board announced on Tuesday that it thinks cellphones should be illegal to use while driving. After compiling data from numerous car crashes, it found that "electronic distraction" in the form of both hands-free and traditional phones was a major contributor, according to the New York Times

The call is non-binding, but the NTSB's findings buttress efforts by some states and municipalities to ban any cellphone use behind the wheel within their boundaries. Gov. Mark Dayton, for example, told MPR yesterday that he liked the idea, although he wasn't sure how it could be enforced. Minnesota, of course, already bans texting while driving, but does it go far enough? Should Minneapolis officials look into a cellphone ban for drivers?


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