10/14/04-Two Twin Cities’ legislators vowed this week to continue pushing for a law that would limit drivers’ use of cell phones.
The announcement follows an Oct. 10 head-on crash that killed three brothers on Minnesota 50 near Farmington. According to The Associated Press, the other driver, who survived the crash, had been talking on his cell phone.
Democratic-Farm-Labor Reps. Phyllis Kahn of Minneapolis and Mindy Greiling of Roseville were co-authors of a House bill in 2003 that would have required drivers to use “hands-free” devices while talking on mobile phones.
The bill died in the House Transportation Policy Committee without a hearing, but Kahn said she and others are committed to trying again when lawmakers gather for the legislative session that begins in January.
A spokesman for Gov. Tim Pawlenty told the news agency the governor feels inattentive driving, such as cell phone use, is a serious concern, and will be working with public safety officials to find ways for people to take it more seriously.