Drivers Who Focus On Distractions Over Driving Risk Lives

SAINT PAUL, MN — From Snapchatting to shopping for cars while behind the wheel, more than a thousand drivers made the choice to focus on activities other than driving during the statewide extra distracted enforcement period April 10-23, according to police. Police officers, sheriff deputies and Minnesota State Patrol troopers participated in the campaign, handing out 1,017 citations to drivers for texting while driving and 1,517 seat belt violations.

Driving Home the Message

More than 300 agencies took part in the extra enforcement wave which lasted 14 days. There were 1,017 (72.6 per day) citations during the two-week campaign compared with 972 tickets written last year during the seven-day extra enforcement period, according to a news release.

Overall in 2016, law enforcement cited nearly 6,000 drivers for texting while driving, a 251 percent increase in five year (2012). The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (DPS-OTS) coordinates the extra enforcement and awareness campaign to influence driving choices and prevent tragedy.

“The numbers during our two-week campaign show some people are getting the message, especially when looking at the numbers from the previous year,” said Donna Berger, Office of Traffic Safety director, in a statement. “However, one person distracted on the road is one too many. Just one person taking their eyes off the road can change their lives and the lives of others forever. Now is the time to make a commitment to put the phones down and the distractions away when behind the wheel.”

The list of citations by agency can be found online.

Traffic Stops, Stop Dangerous Behavior

Drivers choosing texting over safety jeopardize the lives of others on the road, but any potential distraction can lead to dangerous results. Violations observed included:

• In Elk River, police stopped three juveniles for reading text messages from their parents.
• Many stopped for Snapchatting.
• A driver who failed to stop for a pedestrian admitted to being distracted by a chicken he was holding in his lap.
• A trooper stopped a person near Eveleth for shopping for cars on his phone while driving.
• A trooper near Lengby found a driver making an NBA fantasy draft list on his phone while driving.

A Family’s Plea

During a recent news conference, 17-year-old Sylvie Tikalsky tearfully spoke about her grandfather’s death caused by a distracted driver. “I miss him so much and it’s hard for me to think about him not being at my graduation next year or other family events,” said Tikalsky. “He was a family oriented person and I miss him so much. Please do not commit a crime as bad as this. Texting and driving is dangerous and you need to make the decision not to text and drive.”

Sylvie and the Tikalsky family are handing out 500 CELLslips to high school drivers and others with a message: “Hands on the Wheel, Eyes on the Road: In memory of Joe Tikalsky 10-28-15.” The goal is for drivers to place their phones inside the CELLslip, which blocks the cell phone signal.

Disturbing Distraction Numbers

Minnesotans need to commit to keeping their eyes on the road to reduce distractions and the heartache that can result:

• Texting and driving citations continue to climb statewide.
• 2012 — 1,707
• 2013 — 2,177
• 2014 — 3,498
• 2015 — 4,115
• 2016 — 5,988

In 2015, distracted driving contributed to 7,666 injuries and 74 deaths. When a crash occurs in Minnesota, the driver behavior that law enforcement agencies cite most often as a contributing factor is attention or distraction

Minnesota’s “No Texting” Law

In Minnesota, it is illegal for drivers to read, compose or send texts and emails, and go online while the vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic. This includes sitting at a stoplight or stop sign or stopped in traffic. It also is illegal for drivers with a permit or provisional driver’s license to use a cell phone while driving, except for emergencies to call 911.

Minnesota law states drivers face a $50 fine, plus court fees, for a first offense. They’ll pay an additional $225 fine (for a total of $275), plus court fees, for second and subsequent violations of the texting-while-driving law.

Image via Minnesota Department of Transportation