Law Enforcement Hands Out Over 3,400 Tickets for Distracted Driving in April

(KNSI) — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety says police handed out more than 3,400 citations for distracted driving in April.

The coordinated effort with the state patrol, county and local law enforcement included extra patrols and an education and awareness campaign to get drivers to pay attention and focus on the road. There were 275 agencies that participated, writing 3,427 citations. In greater Minnesota, the state patrol’s St. Cloud region wrote the second most at 209. St. Paul wrote the highest number in the metro area at 571.

Examples of Distracted Driving Stops from Law Enforcement

St. Paul Police stopped a driver for a hands-free violation. The 39-year-old woman was using a phone for a court hearing over Zoom.

A trooper in the Virginia area stopped a 32-year-old woman for a hands-free violation. She was arrested for DWI. Her blood alcohol concentration was twice the legal limit for driving.

Northfield Police issued two hands-free violations to commercial vehicle drivers. One of the drivers did not have a seatbelt on. He told officers his company told him he didn’t have to wear one. He was also cited for that.

The Scott County Sheriff’s Office teamed up with seven other agencies for high-visibility enforcement. They stopped 75 vehicles and issued 24 citations. Eighteen of the citations were for hands-free violations.

South Lake Minnetonka officers stopped numerous vehicles during a high-visibility event with other agencies. One person was cited for texting and eating while stopped at a stoplight.

The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office stopped a 56-year-old woman for a hands-free violation. She said she was reading a text message from her hairstylist.

“It’s mind-blowing that this many people still don’t get it. Distractions are deadly, plain and simple,” OTS Director Mike Hanson said. “You have one job behind the wheel – and that’s driving. Not eating. Not scrolling through your phone. Not putting on makeup. Pay attention to the road and get yourself and your passengers home safe.”

According to the OTS, distracted driving contributes to 9% of crashes in Minnesota. In 2022, preliminary figures show that distracted driving contributed to 126 injuries and 22 deaths.

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