The Eden Prairie Police Department is intensifying enforcement against distracted driving throughout April, designated as Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
According to an April 11 post on the department’s blog, officers will focus on distracted driving, which resulted in 33 deaths and 136 serious injuries in Minnesota last year. In 2023, Eden Prairie police issued 239 citations and 50 warnings for such offenses.
Minnesota law prohibits holding a phone while driving, including at traffic stops. Fines start at more than $100 and increase to over $300 for subsequent violations. Severe penalties, including felony charges, may be imposed if distracted driving leads to injuries or fatalities.
The hands-free law extends to smartwatches. Drivers can use them as conventional watches to check the time, but smartwatches are considered electronic communications devices under the hands-free law.
“That means the device has the same restrictions as a cell phone,” the blog states. “Drivers can use a smartwatch the same way they use a cell phone as long as it’s by one-touch or voice activation. Drivers can’t type, text or do the other things prohibited under the hands-free law.”
The blog notes that it is illegal to stop on the shoulder of an interstate or controlled-access highway in Minnesota unless it is an emergency. Stopping on the shoulder of state, U.S. highways or county roads is legal but not always safe.
“We strongly encourage anyone who needs to use their phone to find a safe place to pull off the road completely,” the blog states. “A convenience store or gas station, for example, will be safer for you and other road users.”
Comments
We offer several ways for our readers to provide feedback. Your comments are welcome on our social media posts (Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn). We also encourage Letters to the Editor; submission guidelines can be found on our Contact Us page. If you believe this story has an error or you would like to get in touch with the author, please connect with us.