Minn. Authorities Hand Out 550 Distracted Driving Tickets in 10 Days
ST. PAUL (Press Release)— Minnesota law enforcement agencies cited 550 drivers for texting as part of an enhanced enforcement and education campaign for distracted driving during April 11-20.
According to preliminary information from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), the 10-day event also included:
1,394 citations for not wearing seat belts
25 citations for not using child restraints
417 actions (378 citations and 39 arrests) taken against driving after revocation, driving after suspension, or driving after cancellation
15 DWI arrests.
“The number of citations made in just those 10 days shows that far too many drivers still make poor choices behind the wheel,” said Donna Berger, OTS director. “Law enforcement officers across the state will continue to enforce distracted driving laws. Drivers can and will be ticketed at any time for texting while driving, not just during an enhanced enforcement campaign.”
According to the OTS: More than 86,000 crashes were attributed to distracted driving during 2009-13 -25 percent of all crashes in those five years.
On average, distracted driving accounts for approximately 60 fatalities and 8,000 injuries annually.
In 2013, inattention was the contributing factor in 17,598 crashes (23 percent of all crashes), 68 fatalities and 8,038 injuries.
Minnesota’s “No Texting” Law:
In Minnesota, it is illegal for drivers to read, compose or send texts/emails, as well as access the web on a wireless device while the vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic – including at a stoplight/stop sign or stopped in traffic. It also is illegal for drivers under age 18 to use a cell phone at any time.
Minnesota’s “no texting” law was enacted in August 2008 and citations have increased each year:
2009 – 388
2010 – 847
2011 – 1,270
2012 – 1,718
2013 – 2,189
Driver distractions go beyond texting. Daydreaming/taking mind off driving; reaching for items; manipulating radio/music/vehicle controls; eating/drinking; dealing with rowdy passengers and grooming all can be driver distractions