Don’t pick up that phone!

No longer will drivers be able to hold a cell phone while driving a vehicle. A new hands-free law allows a driver to use a cell phone to make calls, text, listen to music or podcasts and get directions, but only by voice commands or single-touch activation without holding the phone.

Also, a driver may not use a phone at any time for video calling, video live-streaming, Snapchat, gaming, looking at videos or photos, use non-navigation apps, reading texts and scrolling or typing on the phone.

Handheld cell phone use is only allowed to obtain emergency assistance if there is an immediate threat to life and safety. GPS and other systems that can only be used for navigation are exempt from the hands-free law.

According to the National Safety Council and Insurance Federation based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, in 12 of 15 states with hands-free laws, traffic fatalities decreased by an average of 15%.

“I read a recent study about the use of cell phones and smart phones and they indicate that the approximately one in 20 people are so addicted to their smart phone that they are incapable of putting it down for any length of time,” said Paul Bruggman, coordinator of the Aitkin County Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) Coalition. “The research also indicated that the problem is growing and they estimate that within the next five years one in five people will be so addicted to their device that they cannot put it down. This kind of distraction is dangerous.”

Bruggman has observed a lot of distracted driving through the years. He served two years on the Braham Police Department and 28 years as a trooper with the Minnesota State Patrol. For the last five years, he has been coordinator of the TZD group and is now working with the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Department.

“In my opinion this is worse than drunk driving because it can happen all times of the day or night any day of the week,” said Bruggman. “In the old days we were accustomed to thinking that in the later hours of the day early hours of the morning or weekends were the so-called drunk driver times but now you’re in danger every moment that you’re in your car from the distracted driver.”

The new law doesn’t change anything for teens under 18 with a driver’s permit or provisional driver’s license: They cannot make or answer calls while driving (handheld or hands-free).

They can use their phone in hands-free mode using a GPS device, listening to music or calling 911 in an emergency situation.

The new law won’t be a challenge for those who drive newer vehicles. It’s a different story for those who drive older vehicles.

The first, and probably best, option is to turn the phone off, put it in the glove box, and let calls go to voice mail.

Those who must use a phone need to place a mount on the dash. Next, they should purchase a Bluetooth speaker to connect to the phone. A single Bluetooth earpiece may be worn. It is against the law to wear headphones or earphones in both ears.

The first ticket will cost $50 and court fees. Subsequent tickets are $275 plus court fees.

“I would just like to encourage every person with a driver’s license to look into hands-free driving before the Aug. 1 start up of the new hands-free law,” Bruggman said. “I have been told by several Minnesota state troopers that they are going to come out very strictly and they intend to issue citations right away and that there is not going to be a so-called grace period. Please keep that in mind and start asking how you can become a hands-free driver.”