Too many people are dying on Minnesota roads because drivers are not 100 percent committed to keeping their eyes on the road. In 2015, distracted driving contributed to 7,666 injuries and 74 deaths in the state.
In Minnesota, it is illegal for drivers to read, compose or send texts and emails, and access the web while the vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic. That includes sitting at a stoplight or stop sign. It is also illegal for drivers with a permit or provisional driver’s license to use a cell phone while driving, except for emergencies to call 911.
For the first time, law enforcement across the state is extending the extra enforcement period to two weeks to conduct overtime patrols for distractive driving. Starting April 10, law enforcement in Clay County will take part in the extra enforcement along with more than 300 law enforcement agencies across Minnesota. The distracted driving campaign that runs through April 23 is coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (DPS-OTS).
Too Many Lives Lost
Too many people are not making driving the number one priority behind the wheel.
• More than 86,000 crashes were distracted driving-related from 2011 – 2015, contributing to one in four crashes in Minnesota.
• Distracted driving contributes to an average of 65 deaths and 215 life-changing injuries a year (2011 – 2015).
• During the 2015 distracted driving extra enforcement campaign, law enforcement cited 909 drivers for texting and driving, an 80 percent increase over the previous year.
Distracted Driving Consequences
• With Minnesota’s “No Texting” law, it’s illegal for drivers to read, send texts and emails, and access the web while the vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic. That includes sitting at a stoplight or stop sign.
o $50 plus court fees for a first offense.
o $275 plus court fees for a second and/or subsequent offense.
• If you injure or kill someone because of texting and driving, you can face a felony charge of criminal vehicular operation or homicide.
Busted By The Bus Is Back (April 12th and 13th)
For the fourth year in a row law enforcement will be partnering with the Moorhead School District to reduce distracted driving near school buses. On April 12th and 13th members of the Moorhead Police Department, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the MN State Patrol will be riding in school buses looking for distracted drivers. Other officers will be stationed along the route to make contact with drivers violating distracted driving laws. During the 2016-2017 school year, approximately 170 school bus violations have been turned over to the Moorhead Police Department. Both law enforcement and the school district want drivers to be aware of their surroundings near schools and around school buses.
Law enforcement and school staff will be available both days. A ride along will be possible, but please contact Lt. Swenson in advance.
Distracted driving education is a component Minnesota’s core traffic safety initiative, Toward Zero Deaths (TZD). A primary vision of the TZD program is to create a safe driving culture in Minnesota in which motorists support a goal of zero road fatalities by practicing and promoting safe and smart driving behavior. TZD focuses on the application of four strategic areas to reduce crashes — education, enforcement, engineering and emergency trauma response.
Lt. Deric Swenson 218.299.5202
