Safety group: Cell ban may curb accidents

While a ban on using cell phones in cars could be a pain for some drivers, one Mower County group says it would definitely help decrease distracted driving accidents.

The National Transportation Safety Board declared Tuesday that texting, emailing or chatting while driving is too dangerous to be allowed anywhere in the United States. It urged all states to impose total bans except for emergencies.

Mower County Safe Communities Coalition coordinator Amanda Stoa said laws previously passed to decrease distracted driving have been successful.

“From the facts I’ve seen, there’s been a decrease in distracted driving,” Stoa said. “Over the course of (law enforcement) paying attention to the distracted driving laws, accidents caused by distracted driving has been reduced by 35 percent.”

The problem with an all-encompassing ban, including hands-free devices, would be enforcing it, according to Stoa. Because many drivers talk to themselves or sing along to music in the car, it could be difficult for law enforcement officers to tell the difference between singing drivers and those talking on the phone.

A ban against hands-free devices could be beneficial, though, if the enforcement aspect works, Stoa said.

“When you’re driving with a passenger, as opposed to driving on the phone, a big question is ‘what’s the difference?’” Stoa said. “But with a passenger, the passenger can see what’s going on around (the driver). When you’re talking on the phone, the other person doesn’t know what’s going on around you as the driver.”

Sheriff Terese Amazi echoed Stoa’s words, saying it would be difficult to enforce a hands-free ban.

“I’m not opposed to it,” Amazi said. “But it’s going to be difficult knowing whether someone is taking to themselves or on the phone.”

Amazi said the law will be a tough sell both due to the enforcement aspect and because so many people do business in their vehicles. However, just having the law in place would likely reduce distracted driving because some drivers would fear the consequences of a ticket, she said.

SportsPlus

Mower County

Institute scientist and team’s database work featured in science communication publication

Business

Hy-Vee celebrates 25 Years of its Veterans Day Breakfast

Mower County

I-90 Austin detour planned Nov. 15-18 for Fourth Street bridge demolition

Business

Hormel named a Best for Vets Employer for 12th year in a row

Mower County

Technical issue from Tuesday night’s election results in slight ballot count changes

News

2024 Election Rundown

Mower County

Patricia Mueller retains District 23B seat

Mower County

Zielke wins special election to round out Green’s school board seat

Mower County

Incumbents hold seats for Mayor, City Council; Waller returns to council in Ward 2

Mower County

Glynn earns fourth term on County Board, Mueller a second term

News

Trump wins the White House in political comeback rooted in appeals to frustrated voters

Mower County

Technical issues causing delay in upload of Mower voter tallies

News

Democrat Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota wins 4th Senate term, defeating GOP ex-NBA player Royce White

News

AP Race Call: Republican Brad Finstad wins reelection to U.S. House in Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District

Mower County

Author to present winter legends and history at Austin Public Library

News

About 24 states say they’ll send National Guard troops to DC for vote certification and inauguration

News

An Israeli strike kills 20 in north Gaza, where Palestinians say they’ve had little food for weeks

News

Election Day voting unfolds generally smoothly with some scattered issues and delays reported

Mower County

City honors Legion, VFW Color Guard

Mower County

In Your Community: First three prizes claimed from Holiday Bing-Oh!

News

New North Shore livestream offers moment of Zen amid info overload

News

Public input sought on major powerline proposed for southwest Minnesota

News

Minneapolis musician Tyka Nelson, Prince’s sister and only full sibling, dies at 64

News

Federal Reserve is set to cut rates again while facing a hazy post-election outlook