WHAT:
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) will announce a statewide 10-day distracted driving enforcement and education campaign, April 11-20. Media also are invited to ride-along in a school bus, providing a higher vantage point to observe law enforcement tactics and distraction offenses.
WHEN:
Thursday, April 10, at 10:00 a.m. The bus ride-along will begin after the news conference and last no more than 30 minutes.
WHERE:
Minnesota State Patrol West Metro District Headquarters
2005 North Lilac Drive in Golden Valley
(Located just off the Hwy. 100 / Duluth Street interchange)
A live stream of the news conference will be available at the following YouTube link:
http://youtu.be/avHVV3d__tM. If there are any technical issues with our Internet connection, recorded audio and video will be uploaded to the MnDPS YouTube page after the event and a new link will be provided.
WHO:
Donna Berger, Director, DPS Office of Traffic Safety
Lieutenant Eric Roeske, Minnesota State Patrol
Major Darrell Huggett, Hennepin County Sherriff’s Office
Sergeant Mark Persons, Golden Valley Police Department
WHY:
Driver distraction is a leading crash factor, accounting for 25 percent of all Minnesota crashes. According to preliminary 2013 data, distraction was a contributing factor in 17,598 crashes, 68 fatalities and 8,038 injuries.
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.
