Sgt. Jesse Grabow
Question: Even with laws I still see a lot of motorists driving distracted. Can you get a reminder out there?
Answer: Driver distraction or inattention is a leading factor in crashes in Minnesota, accounting for at least 25 percent of all crashes annually. Distracted drivers fail to recognize potential hazards on the road and react more slowly to traffic conditions, decreasing their margin of safety.
Types of driver distraction:
- Visual: Looking away from the road.
- Mechanical/physical: Taking hands off the wheel.
- Cognitive: Being “lost in thought.”
Distractions inside the vehicle can include activities such as: using a cell phone, using a GPS, reaching for items, eating and drinking, adjusting the radio, talking to other passengers, and reading maps and other materials. Even when you are watching the road, behaviors such as looking at a crash scene or daydreaming can divert attention from your driving responsibilities. For safety, give the task of driving your full attention at all times.
Certain driver behaviors are illegal on Minnesota roads. These include using a cell phone or wireless computer device for text messaging, emailing or accessing the internet while driving, including while stopped in traffic. Drivers under age 18 with an instruction permit or provisional license are prohibited from using a cell phone, whether handheld or hands-free, except to call 911 in an emergency. It is also illegal to wear headphones or earphones in both ears simultaneously to listen to a radio or other sound-producing device.
A portion of state statutes were used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes. If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Trp. Jesse Grabow – Minnesota State Patrol at 1000 Highway 10 West, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-2205. (You can follow him on “X” @MSPPIO_NW or reach him at, jesse.grabow@state.mn.us).
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