“ASK A TROOPER” With Sgt. Troy Christianson of the Minnesota State Patrol

Question: Can you talk about the new increased fine if cited for texting and driving?

Answer: Drivers who repeatedly choose texting over safety while behind the wheel risk a higher fine for violating the law. Under the new enhanced law, drivers face a $225 fine for second and subsequent violations of the texting while driving law, in addition to the current $50 fine. The $275 fine, plus court fees, can cost an offender more than $300.

Minnesota Statute 169.471-Texting is illegal, including when stopped in traffic.                            

• “No person may operate a motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device to compose, read, or send an electronic message, when the vehicle is in motion or part of traffic.”
• Also illegal to access the web while the vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic.
• It’s illegal for drivers with a permit or provisional driver’s license to use a cell phone while driving, except for emergencies to call 911.

Distracted driving is a leading factor in crashes each year in Minnesota.

• Distracted driving accounts for one in four crashes.
• Distracted driving is responsible for 60 deaths and 225 serious injuries each year.
• Driver inattention or distraction is the number one contributing factor in multiple-vehicle crashes.
• Driver inattention or distraction contributed to more than 17 percent of all fatal crashes and more than 24 percent of all injury crashes in 2014.
• In 2014, driver inattention or distraction contributed to 61 deaths and more than seven thousand injuries on Minnesota roads.

         Make the Right Choice

• Cell phones — Put the phone down, turn it off, or place it out of reach.
• 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.

If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson – Minnesota State Patrol at 2900 48^th Street NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848.  (Or reach him at, Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us) Twitter:   MSPPIO_SOUTH