Law enforcement cite more than 5,000 drivers for distracted driving during April enforcement campaign
May 13, 2024
Taking your eyes off the phone is tough in our always-on society, but you won't regret it while driving. Staying safe and alive far outweighs a potentially deadly choice to text and scroll.
Law enforcement officers across Minnesota issued 5,380 citations for hands-free cell phone violations during a month-long distracted driving enforcement campaign in April. That's nearly 2,000 more citations handed out than during last year's campaign.
Results April 1-30
2024:
- 5,380 citations for hands-free cell phone violations.
- 278 Minnesota agencies participated.
2023:
- 3,427 citations for hands-free cell phone violations.
- 275 Minnesota agencies participated.
Our Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) coordinates the statewide campaign with funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It
includes advertising in support of the Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety program.
“The number of citations issued is disturbing, unacceptable and extremely frustrating," said Mike Hanson, OTS director. “Getting distracted behind the wheel for even a couple seconds can end with someone being seriously hurt or killed. What if that someone was your loved one? Put distractions away and make the roads safer for everyone."
Examples of distracted driving stops from law enforcement
- The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office worked with crossing guards in school zones and issued five cell phone use citations.
- A Pipestone County sheriff's deputy stopped three drivers in a row for hands-free violations. The first driver posted on a social media community page about being stopped. Even though he wasn't happy about being pulled over, it helped promote the extra enforcement.
- St. Paul police stopped two drivers twice in one day for distracted driving. Another driver was cited for a hands-free violation three days after receiving a citation for the same offense in the same area.
- The Anoka County Sheriff's Office stopped a driver who admitted to texting his mom while driving. A deputy also stopped another driver for checking her bank account while behind the wheel.
Citations by agency
In the Twin Cities metro area, agencies with the most citations included:
- St. Paul Police Department: 951
- Minnesota State Patrol – west metro region: 270
- Minnesota State Patrol – east metro region: 180
- Ramsey County Sheriff's Office: 172
- Bloomington Police Department: 122
- Edina Police Department: 78
- Richfield Police Department: 60
In greater Minnesota, agencies with the most citations included:
- Minnesota State Patrol – Virginia region: 387
- Minnesota State Patrol – St. Cloud region: 168
- Minnesota State Patrol – Rochester region: 166
- Minnesota State Patrol – Duluth region: 134
- Minnesota State Patrol – Detroit Lakes region: 109
- Minnesota State Patrol – Mankato region: 81
- Mankato Department of Public Safety Police: 71
- Minnesota State Patrol – Brainerd region: 71
- New Ulm Police Department: 64
View the
full list of participating agencies.
The hands-free cell phone use law went into effect Aug. 1, 2019. It means drivers can't hold their phone in their hand. Accessing or posting on social media, streaming videos, checking that box score or Googling information on a device while driving are against the law in Minnesota, even in hands-free mode.
Visit
HandsFreeMN.org and
DriveSmartMN.org for more information about the law.
