Minnesota campaign takes aim at distracted driving

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) —  April is Distracted Driving awareness month and Minnesota Department of Public Safety is taking the opportunity to remind drivers that distraction-free driving is safe driving.

Throughout the month, law enforcement agencies will be dedicating extra time aiming to eliminate distracted driving in Minnesota.

Over the last 5 years distracted driving has contributed to over 30,000 crashes in Minnesota, with 730 of those resulting in serious injuries and 148 fatalities.

Sergeant Jesse Grabow with the Minnesota State Patrol says that while Minnesota passed new laws against distracted driving in 2019, the number of distracted drivers has still crept up in recent years.

“Right off the bat we thought we were seeing an improvement, but those numbers have been creeping up over the last several years now, and it’s concerning. It’s one of those things, people know it’s illegal, I think most importantly most people know it’s not safe.”

Sgt. Grabow added that distracted driving poses a significant risk to first responders, who may be aiding drivers on the shoulders of Minnesota highways.