Photo by Karin Elton Drivers in Minnesota will have to use hands-free devices like this to operate a phone while on the road because of new law that took effect Thursday.

MARSHALL — Beware, Lyon County Sheriff Eric Wallen said law enforcement is now looking for people utilizing their phones while driving.

The Hands Free Law took effect in Minnesota on Thursday. According to HandsFreeMN.org, the new law allows a driver to use their cell phone to make calls, text, listen to music or podcasts and get directions, but only by voice commands or single-touch activation without holding the phone.

Drivers convicted on a first offense will be a $130 fine. The fines increase to more than $300 for repeated violations.

“We’re just going to be continuing our regular routines and trying to educate,” Wallen said. “The hope is that traffic accidents are reduced with taking one of the distractions away. Just here in Lyon County that people are aware they can’t use their phones while they are driving,”.

Marshall Police Chief Jim Marshall said the law “makes it pretty black and white.”

“It’s easier for law enforcement to enforce. Sometimes it can be difficult to see if someone is on their phone texting or on their phone calling. This makes it so you can’t be on your phone at all,” he said.

Marshall said police officers have been trying to educate and inform the public of the new law and what it means before it came in to effect.

“We know that in hands-free states there has been a 15% drop in the fatality rate, less accidents, and more attention during driving,” he said.

Chet Lockwood, owner of Lockwood Motors, said Bluetooth has been around for awhile so its hard to gauge whether Bluetooth sales have gone up, because of the law.

“A lot of cars made in the last seven years have Bluetooth installed in them already,” he said. “The data shows it (the law) will help the state of Minnesota though, so that’s good.”