skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump and China call off the divorce; Court ruling allows transgender troop removal to proceed; NC University provides guaranteed opportunity to students in struggling region; Program elimination, job loss as DOGE cuts funds for NM's AmeriCorps.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Advocates say Republicans' scaled back Medicaid cuts still put too much in jeopardy. President Trump defends getting a luxury jet from Qatar, and frustration grows among museum executives who say White House is trying to erase history.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Volunteers with AmeriCorps are reeling from near elimination of the 30-year-old program, Head Start has dodged demise but funding cuts are likely, moms are the most vulnerable when extreme weather hits, and in California, bullfrogs await their 15-minutes of fame.

MN police chief: Drivers need to break cell phone habit

play audio
Play

Tuesday, April 15, 2025   

Law enforcement agencies are still trying to get the message through about the dangers and costs that stem from distracted driving.

A Minnesota police chief is echoing calls for people to realize that a text message can wait.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

This year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rolled out its "Put the Phone Away or Pay" campaign in hopes of convincing drivers to resist looking at their cell phones when behind the wheel.

Winona Police Chief Tom Williams said he feels this is still a pervasive issue.

"We've kind of lost track of the responsibilities associated with operating a motor vehicle," said Williams, "and we're so attached to our phones and social media."

Williams encouraged drivers to seek out safe spaces to pull over -- like a well-lit parking lot -- to answer a text or email, if it's urgent.

Along some roadways around the country, transportation departments have added texting zones, similar to areas for a stalled vehicle.

Last year, there were 29 deaths linked to distracted driving in Minnesota, up from the previous year.

Like most states, Minnesota has laws that require hands-free cell phone use when driving.

Car technology has improved to keep motorists connected while still paying attention to the road. But Williams said many models out there are not equipped with those amenities.

"And people aren't necessarily always going to spend anything," said Williams, "for aftermarket additions to their cars."

Analysts say some newer cars have too many technological bells and whistles that can overwhelm a driver, even if they're hands-free.

They say things like collision warning features might be making drivers too reliant on those aids, diminishing their safety instincts.

Federal officials estimate distracted driving costs Americans $129 billion each year due to property damage, medical expenses and legal fees.




get more stories like this via email

more stories
More than 250 rare, threatened or endangered species live along the Appalachian Trail corridor. (Adobe Stock)

play sound

As the Appalachian Trail turns 100, conservation groups are sounding alarms over federal funding freezes and staff cuts. The trail runs through the …


Social Issues

play sound

During every big election, tens of thousands of California voters make a mistake on their mail-in ballot and often get differing advice on how to fix …

Social Issues

play sound

A new report on homelessness in Colorado released by the Common Sense Institute has come under fire for muddying the waters for lawmakers and other st…


Data is big business. By 2028, the data broker market is expected to reach a value of $407.5 billion. (Pongsak/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A new tool aims to equip Oregonians with the knowledge they need to take control of their personal data and protect their privacy online. Oregon …

Health and Wellness

play sound

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the latest state data show the number of Wisconsin youth who are struggling with their mental health has spik…

Americans consume more beef annually than any other country, at about 13.82 million tons per year. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Kathleen Shannon for Wyoming News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabora…

Social Issues

play sound

West Virginia coal miners filed a lawsuit asking a federal judge to temporarily halt the Trump administration's layoffs impacting the Coal Workers Hea…

Health and Wellness

play sound

A new report from the Commonwealth Fund showed between 8,000 and 12,000 Kentuckians could lose their jobs as a result of the state implementing Medica…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021