ST. PAUL, MN — Nearly 5,500 Minnesota drivers were cited for hands-free cell phone violations during a statewide distracted driving crackdown in April, state officials said Thursday.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety said 296 law enforcement agencies reported 5,426 hands-free cell phone citations during the campaign, which ran from April 1 through April 30.
The campaign was coordinated by the DPS Office of Traffic Safety with funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“We hear it from drivers constantly — they are frustrated by selfish and entitled behavior behind the wheel. Too many drivers are choosing distractions over safety, putting everyone else on the road at risk. It is reckless, frustrating, and can be deadly,” Mike Hanson, director of the DPS Office of Traffic Safety, said in a statement.
“The results of this campaign show that we still have a lot of work to do to keep people from using their cell phones while driving.”
DPS said officers reported several notable incidents during the crackdown:
The St. Paul Police Department reported the most distracted driving citations among metro agencies, with 912.
Metro agencies with the most distracted driving citations:
Greater Minnesota agencies with the most distracted driving citations:
DPS also said officers arrested 48 drivers for DWI during a one-day impaired driving enforcement campaign on April 20.
The day is often associated with cannabis use, but DPS said officers were focused on any kind of impairment. State officials said drivers should always plan a sober ride.
Metro agencies with the most DWI arrests during the April 20 campaign:
Greater Minnesota agencies with the most DWI arrests during the April 20 campaign:
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