There will be extra enforcement on Minnesota roads this month for distracted driving.
The Office of Traffic Safety coordiates the campaign April 1 through April 30 with some federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, including advertising for the Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety program.
“We all lead busy lives and think we can multi-task, but behind the wheel of the car is not the place to do that,” said OTS Director Mike Hanson.
“You may not think a quick glance down at your phone or radio will do any harm, but that simple distraction can seriously injure or kill someone in an instant.
Distracted driving contributes to one in 11 crashes in Minnesota, with more than 32,000 crashes over the last five years being distracted driving-related.
Distracted driving contributes to an average of 28 deaths and 156 serious, life-changing injuries a year from 2018 to 2022.
Hands-free cell phone use became law in Minnesota in August 2019, with first-time offenses costing at least $100 and subsequent violations starting at $300.
