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 cellphone or 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 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 cellphone or wireless computer device for text messaging, emailing or accessing the internet while driving, including while stopped in traffic. Drivers younger than age 18 with an instruction permit or provisional license are prohibited from using a cellphone, 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.
Any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Trooper Troy Christianson, Minnesota State Patrol, 2900 48th St., NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848; or send an email to: Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us.