The Minnesota Senate passed legislation co-authored by Senator Dan Hall (R-Burnsville) on Monday to discourage distracted driving and raise awareness of the problem. The bipartisan legislation increases the penalty for injuring or killing someone using a cell phone while driving to be the same as driving under the influence of alcohol. The legislation includes an exemption for using devices with a hands-free setting.

“Over 20% of crashes on Minnesota roads and highways are the result of distracted driving. It’s time for us to recognize that our state has a genuine problem,” said Senator Hall. “We’ve tried about every option in the book to educate the public about the risks of distracted driving but have seen very little improvement in driver’s behavior. We need to show people this is wrong and is as dangerous as using drugs or drinking alcohol. I am hopeful that this legislation, and efforts made earlier this session, will help bring a cultural change that ultimately makes roads safer for Minnesota’s drivers.”

Over the last five years in Minnesota, distracted or inattentive driving resulted in an average of 53 deaths and 216 serious injuries each year. The Office of Traffic Safety estimates these numbers are underreported due to law enforcement’s challenge in determining distraction as a crash factor. In 2015, 74 individuals were killed on Minnesota roads due to distracted driving, while there were 95 fatalities due to drunk-driving.

Rather than banning the use of cell phones while driving this proposal focuses on holding drivers accountable and providing penalties for drivers who are risking lives by their actions.

In addition to making the penalty for operating a motor vehicle while using an electronic device and causing an accident equal to current penalties for DUIs, the legislation also increases the driver’s education requirements for distracted driving curriculum and increases the fines for texting while driving, including the loss of one’s license after the third or subsequent violation over 10-years.