Bill Would Ban Cellphones In Work Zones

ST. PAUL (AP) - A Minnesota legislator thinks motorists driving through highway work zones should be banned from using their cellphones.

DFL Rep. Ron Erhardt has introduced a bill that prohibits cellphone use in designated work zones, whether it's handheld or hands free phones. Erhardt says cellphone use is simply another form of distracted driving.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says there have been roughly 26,000 work zone crashes in the past five years, causing more than 4,000 injuries and 41 deaths.