The Minnesota State Patrol announced just how many people were cited for distracted driving in the month of April alone. The numbers are not good.
“3,427 drivers that were cited for hands free cell phone violations is inexcusable,” said the State Patrol’s Gordon Shank.
Shank says the examples he's seen personally been outrageous.
“I mean, I stopped a driver that was using a cell phone for a text, and he had his kids in the car,” Shank explained.
And getting a ticket is not cheap.
“For your first citation with hands free, it is $125 and every one after that is $350,” Shank told WCCO.
The law went into effect in 2019 and the State Patrol is hoping either by citation or good conscience, people take heed.
Distracted Driving is Dangerous Driving
More than 39,000 crashes were distracted driving-related from 2016-2020, contributing to one in nine crashes in Minnesota.
In 2020, distracted driving contributed to 2,612 injuries and 29 deaths.
Distracted driving contributes to 11 percent of crashes in Minnesota.
With Minnesota’s “Hands-Free” 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.
If you injure or kill someone under the hands-free law, you can face a felony charge of criminal vehicular operation or homicide.
Visit here for more information.
Related
