From the Minnesota Department of Public Safety - April 5, 2025

Got a social media post that’s tempting to check? Eager to see the latest trending video? Or feeling pressured to hold your phone and read that text from work? Whatever it is, drivers should be off the road and safely stopped before reaching for their phones.

Distracted driving can quickly turn deadly, which is why law enforcement and traffic safety partners are teaming up with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) this April for extra enforcement and awareness.

Hands-free cell phone use is the law

The hands-free cell phone use law means drivers can’t hold their phone in their hand, period.  Accessing or posting on social media, streaming videos, checking that box score or searching online for information on a device while driving is against the law in Minnesota, even in hands-free mode.

Multitasking behind the wheel is a deadly risk, said OTS Director Mike Hanson.

“Trust me, if you're involved in a fatal crash, you won’t be thinking about that text you almost missed,” said Hanson. “Drivers, put the phones down while you’re on the road — your focus will save lives.”

In 2024, distracted driving was a factor in at least 29 fatal crashes in Minnesota and an estimated 137 serious injuries. To help keep people safe, officers, deputies and troopers will be participating in the distracted driving extra enforcement and awareness campaign that runs April 1-30. The campaign urges drivers to put distractions away and focus on driving safely. OTS coordinates the campaign with funding provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The campaign includes overtime enforcement and advertising in support of the Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety program.

Distracted driving is dangerous driving

Between 2019 and 2024, there were 115,643 citations involving distracted driving in Minnesota.

2024 data is preliminary

Distracted driving consequences

• Hands-free cell phone law: The law allows a driver to use their cell phone to make calls, text, listen to music or podcasts and get directions, but only by voice commands or single-touch activation without holding the phone. Remember, hands-free is not necessarily distraction-free. 
• Drivers using a phone without it being hands-free device can face fines or worse.
  • $100 or more including court fees for a first offense.
  • $300 or more including court fees for a second and/or subsequent offense.
  • Motorists who injure or kill someone while violating the hands-free law can face a felony charge of criminal vehicular operation or homicide.

Drive smart and join Minnesotans driving distraction-free

• Cell phones: Park the phone by putting it down, activating the “Do Not Disturb” feature, silencing notifications, turning it off, placing it out of reach or going hands-free.
• 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.

Hands-free cell phone driving resources

• Visit the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s HandsFreeMN.org website for more information and frequently asked questions.
• The Minnesota Safety Council provides materials for employers to help prevent distracted driving choices.

About the Minnesota Department Public Safety 

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s 2,100 employees operate programs in the areas of law enforcement, crime victim assistance, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, emergency communications, fire safety, pipeline safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration and emergency management. DPS activity is anchored by three core principles: education, enforcement and prevention.

About the Office of Traffic Safety

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) designs, implements and coordinates federally funded traffic safety enforcement and education programs to improve driver behaviors and reduce the deaths and serious injuries that occur on Minnesota roads. These efforts form a strong foundation for the statewide Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety program. OTS also administers state funds for the motorcycle safety program, child seats for needy families program and school bus stop arm camera project.