Extra distracted driving enforcement in April on Minnesota roads

ST. PAUL — Minnesota law enforcement agencies and traffic safety partners are teaming up this April to educate motorists, enforce the hands-free cell phone law and help stop other distracting behaviors.

The distracted driving enforcement and awareness campaign runs April 1-30 and includes extra enforcement. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety coordinates the campaign with funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It includes advertising across Minnesota in support of the Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety program.

“We all lead busy lives and think we can multitask, but behind the wheel of the car is not the place to do that,” said Office of Traffic Safety Director Mike Hanson in a news release. “You may not think a quick glance down at your phone or radio will do any harm, but that simple distraction can seriously injure or kill someone in an instant.”

• 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% of crashes in Minnesota.

Hands-free cellphone use is the lawHands-free cell phone use became law on Aug. 1, 2019, in Minnesota. That means drivers can no longer 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 all still against the law in Minnesota, even in hands-free mode.

• Hands-free cell phone law: 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. Remember, hands-free is not necessarily distraction-free.
• If you injure or kill someone while violating the hands-free law, you can face a felony charge of criminal vehicular operation or homicide.

• Cellphones — 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 and model proper driving behavior.
• 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.

Visit HandsFreeMN.org and DriveSmartMN.org for more information.