Restrictions on Usage of Cell Phones While Driving By: Dan Carrol Dan Huebsch Nick Peterson

Problem It has only recently become a major issue with the increase of drivers with cell phones capable of texting.It has only recently become a major issue with the increase of drivers with cell phones capable of texting. There have been many studies linking cell phones and other distractions to car accidents and most tests have shown a strong link between the two.There have been many studies linking cell phones and other distractions to car accidents and most tests have shown a strong link between the two. The cell phone issue is a national problem but will need to be solved in the individual state legislatures.The cell phone issue is a national problem but will need to be solved in the individual state legislatures. A complete ban nationwide anytime soon would be hard to get passed and highly unlikely given the recent increase in usage of cell phones by Americans.A complete ban nationwide anytime soon would be hard to get passed and highly unlikely given the recent increase in usage of cell phones by Americans.

Problem (cont.) Many groups have done research on the subject like The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society which determined that, “Cell phone distraction causes 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries in the United States every year.” In the same study by the same group they concluded that, “The same study reported that motorists who are engaged in cell phone conversations while driving are less capable than drunk drivers with blood alcohol levels exceeding.08.” In a 2007 survey done by Nationwide Mutual Insurance they recorded that, “73 percent of drivers talk on cell phones while driving.” That poses a real danger to everyone on the roads given the previous statistics.

Proposed Solution We want the Minnesota State Legislature to pass a law banning the use of cell phones while operating vehicles for all ages. This will help ensure safer roads in the state of Minnesota which could lead other states to pass similar legislation to solve this national problem.

Action Plan We created a Facebook group with a link to our online petition and invited all of our friends.

Action Plan (cont.) We continued our research into our subject and found a related bill currently in the MN state legislature. HF1339 SF0593

Action Plan (cont.) We continued further research into our current legislation and studies supporting our side of the issue. We continued further research into our current legislation and studies supporting our side of the issue. Found a website comparing current legislation of all 50 states for our issue. Here is the segment for our state.

Reflection Our petition was slow to get started, and in the end we only got 5 signatures. We figure this is simply due to the fact that users had to join the website in order to sign the petition. On the other hand, our facebook group includes 58 members, some of whom we don’t personally know at all. The facebook group’s wall has 7 wall posts discussing the proposal.

Reflection (cont.) We were surprised by the fact that we could reach so many people in a short amount of time using facebook. Although it may not have been as effective as possible, if we continued to advertise the group and put in some more effort organize people we could probably get a significant amount of people to join and sign.

Reflection (cont.) We also would have liked to see the bills related to our proposal go further in the MN state legislature, but it is unclear what will happen with them. We do know however, that revisions have been made to the texts of each bill in both the house and the senate.

Reflection (cont.) The current law in MN states that persons under the age of 18 are not allowed to make calls on their cell phone unless it is an emergency. It is illegal for all persons while driving to text and drive at the same time.