ALBERT LEA, Minn. – A month-long campaign to crack down on distracted driving in Minnesota starts April 1.
The Albert Lea Police Department and Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office say they will join the effort being coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety.
“No one intends to seriously injure or kill someone by driving distracted. But good intentions don’t prevent crashes — smart choices do,” says Albert Lea Police Lt. Jeff Strom.
State data says distracted driving in Minnesota has been to blame for 730 serious injuries and 148 deaths since 2019. Almost 30,000 crashes were distracted driving-related from 2019-2023, contributing to one in 11 crashes in the state.
Tips on how to avoid distracting driving include:
Cell phones: Park the phone by putting it down, activating the “Do Not Disturb” feature, silencing notifications, 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.
