In an effort to actively enforce Minnesota's hands-free driving laws, more than 6,000 motorists were cited during a campaign held in April. The crackdown led to 6,450 citations for hands-free cell phone violations—a stark rise from the previous year's figure. As reported by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, the message was clear: prioritizing your phone over safety on the roads is a gamble that authorities aren't willing to bet on.
Mike Hanson, director of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) emphasized the importance of the campaign, "We are not out to write tickets – we're out to save lives. But if drivers won’t take safety seriously, enforcement becomes necessary," as he told the DPS Minnesota. Innovative methods, such as using a new camera system and cherry pickers, were employed to spot distracted drivers more effectively across the state.
Results showed a notable participation from law enforcement, with 241 agencies involved in the 2025 campaign. In a detailed breakdown, the St. Paul Police Department topped the list with 1,326 citations. The campaign was not just limited to urban areas, with agencies like the Mankato Department of Public Safety Police Department tallying up 305 citations, showcasing a statewide commitment to reducing distracted driving. In 2024, there were at least 29 fatalities and 137 serious injuries attributed to distracted driving, highlighting a need for aggressive awareness, as mentioned by DPS Minnesota.
