Over 5,000 Tickets Written For Distracted Drivers During Enforcement Campaign

(KNSI) – Last month, 296 Minnesota law enforcement agencies issued 5,426 tickets to drivers using their cellphones while driving. Though the number represents a drop from last year’s total of 6,450, the figures still highlight a dangerous habit among motorists.

The St. Paul Police Department led with 912 citations issued. The Minnesota State Patrol’s St. Cloud area issued 141, while the St. Cloud Police Department handed out only 17, a significant drop from 110 last year. Similarly, the Wright County Sheriff’s Office issued 38, down from 101 last year. The Sauk Centre Police Department issued 41 citations to distracted drivers.

These findings follow the conclusion of the April Distracted Driving Campaign, coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety. The campaign also receives funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Too many drivers are choosing distractions over safety, putting everyone else on the road at risk,” said OTS Director Mike Hanson. “It is reckless, frustrating, and can be deadly. The results of this campaign show that we still have a lot of work to do to keep people from using their cellphones while driving.”

This year marked the first time the OTS coordinated an enforcement and awareness campaign on April 20 to target distracted drivers. While the date is most commonly associated with cannabis, law enforcement agencies chose to focus on impaired driving broadly. During the campaign, OTS used targeted digital media outreach to raise awareness, and law enforcement agencies could participate in additional enforcement efforts.

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