[d-star] Minnesota's New Texting Law. Watch out APRS and Dstar users.

[Eric - n0nki]

This new law effective today has got me a bit upset. Just thinking about 
the idea that police officers might find it justifiable to take my radio 
equipment.  What about UPS/FedEx and other delivery vehicles, service 
trucks, bus drivers, taxi cabs, the city parking enforcers...  So many 
commercial vehicles have MDTs (mobile data terminals). I personally 
interact with my mobile APRS station and car computer and I do this quite 
safely.  I guess now it's time to develop speech recognition for the car, 
mostly in the hope I can convince law enforcement to leave me alone. I can 
see the purpose, those damn distracted teens and the silly folks who think 
they can learn to text while driving or the uppity business person who's 
using the CrackBerry while speeding to another meeting while on a 
conference call and thinking about what s/he's going to be doing in 
another two hours...

Anyhow, here's the text of the law for anyone concerned...

   Sec. 38. [169.475] USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE.
     Subdivision 1. Definition. For purposes of this section, "electronic 
message" means a self-contained piece of digital communication that is 
designed or intended to be transmitted between physical devices. An 
electronic message includes, but is not limited to, e-mail, a text 
message, an instant message, a command or request to access a World Wide 
Web page, or other data that uses a commonly recognized electronic
communications protocol. An electronic message does not include voice or 
other data transmitted as a result of making a phone call, or data 
transmitted automatically by a wireless communications device without 
direct initiation by a person.
     Subd. 2. Prohibition on use. No person may operate a motor vehicle 
while using a wireless communications device to compose, read, or send an 
electronic message, when the vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic.
     Subd. 3. Exceptions. This section does not apply if a wireless 
communications device is used:
     (1) solely in a voice-activated or other hands-free mode;
     (2) for making a cellular phone call;
     (3) for obtaining emergency assistance to (i) report a traffic 
accident, medical emergency, or serious traffic hazard, or (ii) prevent a 
crime about to be committed;
     (4) in the reasonable belief that a person's life or safety is in 
immediate danger; or
     (5) in an authorized emergency vehicle while in the performance of 
official duties..