CONTACT:
Nicole Roddy
651-201-7571 
nicole.roddy@state.mn.us 

Dave Boxum 
651-201-7569
dave.boxum@state.mn.us

May 11, 2023

3,427 Drivers Cited For Distracted Driving During April Enforcement Campaign

Law enforcement across Minnesota wrapped up a month-long distracted driving enforcement campaign aimed at educating drivers and stopping the dangerous behavior.

Results April 1-30:

• 3,427 drivers were cited for hands-free cell phone violations.
• 275 Minnesota agencies participated.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) coordinates the effort, which included extra enforcement, education and awareness to help influence drivers to pay attention and keep people safe on the road.

“It’s mind-blowing that this many people still don’t get it. Distractions are deadly, plain and simple,” OTS Director Mike Hanson said. “You have one job behind the wheel – and that’s driving. Not eating. Not scrolling through your phone. Not putting on makeup. Pay attention to the road and get yourself and your passengers home safe.”

Examples of Distracted Driving Stops from Law Enforcement

• St. Paul Police stopped a driver for a hands-free violation. The 39-year-old woman was using a phone for a court hearing over Zoom.
• A trooper in the Virginia area stopped a 32-year-old woman for a hands-free violation. She was arrested for DWI. Her blood alcohol concentration was twice the legal limit for driving.
• Northfield Police issued two hands-free violations to commercial vehicle drivers. One of the drivers did not have a seat belt on. He told officers his company told him he didn’t have to wear one. He was also cited for that.
• The Scott County Sheriff’s Office teamed up with seven other agencies for high-visibility enforcement. They stopped 75 vehicles and issued 24 citations. Eighteen of the citations were for hands-free violations.
• South Lake Minnetonka officers stopped numerous vehicles during a high-visibility event with other agencies. One person was cited for texting and eating while stopped at a stoplight.
• The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office stopped a 56-year-old woman for a hands-free violation. She said she was reading a text message from her hair stylist.

Citations by Agency

In the Twin Cities metro area, agencies with the most citations included:

In Greater Minnesota, agencies with the most citations included:

View the full list of participating agencies.

Distracted Driving is Dangerous Driving

• More than 32,000 crashes were distracted driving-related from 2018-2022, contributing to one in 11 crashes in Minnesota.
• In 2022, preliminary figures show distracted driving contributed to 126 injuries and 22 deaths.
• Distracted driving contributes to 9 percent of crashes in Minnesota.

Hands-Free Cell Phone Use is the Law

Hands-free cell phone use became law on Aug. 1, 2019, in Minnesota. The law allows a driver to use their cell phone to make calls, text, listen to music or podcasts and get directions, but only by voice commands or single-touch activation without holding the phone.

Video calling, streaming videos, accessing social media or using the internet are all still against the law in Minnesota, even in hands-free mode.

Visit HandsFreeMN.org and DriveSmartMN.org for more information about the law.

Tips for Driving Distraction Free

• Cell phones — Park the phone by putting it down, turning it off, placing it out of reach or going hands free.
• Music and other controls — Pre-program radio stations and arrange music in an easy-to-access spot. Adjust mirrors and ventilation before traveling.
• Navigation — Map out the destination and enter the GPS route in advance.
• Eating and drinking — Avoid messy foods and secure drinks.
• Children — Teach children the importance of good behavior in a vehicle.
• Passengers — Speak up to stop drivers from distracted driving behavior and offer to help with anything that takes the driver’s attention off the road.

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