Shakopee Mayor Matt Lehman is asking Minnesotans to put their phones away and keep their eyes on the road, as state law enforcement launches a monthlong distracted driving enforcement push. For Lehman, it is not a talking point. His daughter-in-law, Ashley Lehman, was critically injured in a t-bone crash in Scott County last July and died months later after a long fight in the hospital. The statewide campaign is built around stories like hers, with officials hoping extra patrols and public messaging can cut down on crashes that never had to happen.
Monthlong Enforcement and State Figures
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety says extra distracted driving enforcement will run from April 1 through April 30, with more than 300 agencies taking part in patrols across the state, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Since 2020, Minnesota has recorded more than 33,000 distracted driving crashes, and in 2023 alone at least 21 people were killed and 159 were seriously injured in distraction-related crashes, CBS Minnesota reports.
A Mayor’s Plea
“All of our lives changed instantly and have been turned upside down ever since,” Lehman said at the kickoff event for the enforcement campaign, describing the impact of Ashley’s crash on their family. He urged drivers to treat being behind the wheel as the serious responsibility it is and to stop juggling phones while driving. The mayor, who has decades of automotive experience, joined state officials to put a human face on the push for safer roads, as KSTP reported.
Crash, Care and Community Support
According to local reporting, Ashley Lehman’s vehicle was t-boned in mid-July when another driver failed to stop. She suffered a traumatic brain injury, a shattered pelvis and multiple broken ribs, and after months of intensive medical care she died last November, Bring Me The News detailed. A fundraiser organized by relatives has pulled in more than $50,000 to help cover medical bills and support the family, according to the family’s GoFundMe, as friends, the local school district and church communities have shared tributes. A family photo used in those tributes was credited to Dan Lehman.
What the Law Allows and Penalties
Minnesota’s hands-free law bars drivers from holding a phone while driving. They can use voice commands or a single-touch activation, but actually holding the device is not allowed, officials note. Violations typically bring fines starting around $100 for a first offense and climbing for repeat violations. If a hands-free violation leads to an injury or death, drivers could face felony charges, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
Resources and Next Steps
State officials are pointing drivers to more information on the hands-free law, along with practical safe-driving tips, at HandsFreeMN.org and DriveSmartMN.org. The Lehman family’s fundraiser and updates remain available on their GoFundMe page for those who want to follow their story or offer support.
