Deaths related to distracted driving in Minnesota have been steadily increasing in recent years, and law enforcement officials are hopeful but not overly optimistic that the concerning trend will change in 2025.
According to the data, distracted driving-related deaths have increased in each of the last three years. Here’s a look at the traffic deaths tied to distracted driving in Minnesota:
2022 – 22
2023 – 26
2024 – 29
Traffic officials also noted that these only represent the documented cases of distracted driving. The true numbers are likely even higher, as it’s not always possible to determine where a driver’s attention was at the time of a fatal crash.
Crackdown Continues
Law enforcement shared the fatal traffic data to help encourage drivers to slow down and put the distractions away while they are behind the wheel. They are also conducting a month-long distracted driving crackdown that we talked about on our blog a couple of weeks ago. The statewide distracted driving crackdown runs throughout the month of April, and police have specialized vehicles that allow them to better document and videotape drivers in real time so that hard evidence can be collected in the event that a driver is thinking of contesting a distracted driving citation. Simply put, make sure you put your phone and any other distractions down this month and anytime you are behind the wheel in Minnesota.
“We’ve all known for a while that texting and driving is just not something you want to do,” said Sgt. Jesse Grabow of the Minnesota State Patrol. “It’s very frustrating because it’s so simple to be preventative, I mean, to make good choices each and every time you get behind the wheel.”
We’ll help you fight a distracted driving citation if you truly were not on your phone when you were pulled over, but if police have clear evidence of the act, your best bet is to pay the fine, learn your lesson and commit to being a safer driver on the road. One mistake could cost you your life and the lives of others on the road, so put the phone down and keep your attention on the road.
For assistance fighting any type of traffic ticket or criminal charge in the greater Twin Cities area, we hope you’ll reach out to Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
