Throughout the month of April, Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the EPPD will have specific shifts where officers are solely looking for distracted drivers.

Unfortunately, distracted driving continues to be a problem in our state and community. In 2023 there were 33 distraction-related fatalities on Minnesota roadways and 136 serious injuries. Last year in Eden Prairie, officers issued 239 citations and 50 written warnings for distracted driving.

During Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the EPPD would like to remind motorists that it is illegal to have your phone in your hand while you’re driving. This includes when you are sitting at a stoplight, stop sign or in traffic.

The first ticket for distracted driving is more than $100, which includes the fine plus court fees. The second and later tickets are more than $300, which includes the fine plus court fees. If you injure or kill someone because of texting and driving, you can face a felony charge of criminal vehicular operation or homicide.

Here are two common questions related to hands-free driving:

Q:           Does the hands-free law address smart watches?

A: Drivers can use them as a conventional watch to check time, but smart watches are considered an electronic communications device under the hands-free law. That means the device has the same restrictions as a cell phone. Drivers can use a smart watch 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.

Q:           Is it legal under the law to stop on the shoulder of the road and hold my phone to make a call, text, etc.?

If it’s not an emergency, stopping on the shoulder of an interstate freeway or controlled access highway is already illegal in Minnesota. Although it is legal to stop along a state or U.S. highway or county road, it’s not always safe to do. We strongly encourage anyone who needs to use their phone to find a safe place to pull off the road completely. A convenience store or gas station, for example, will be safer for you and other road users.

The EPPD would like to remind all drivers that when you are driving, your ONLY responsibility is to drive.