Fines increasing for repeat distracted drivers
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Law enforcement officers ticketed more than 900 people in Minnesota in April for distracted driving — most notably texting behind the wheel.
Beginning on Aug. 1, fines for repeat offenders will get a lot tougher. The first citation for distracted driving is $50. Every ticket after that is $225.
State Patrol Lt. Tiffani Nelson tells KSTP-TV that taking your eyes off the road for five seconds while driving 55 mph will take you the length of a football field. Troopers say distracted driving is to blame for one in four car crashes in Minnesota.
State records show about 3,200 drivers were issued distracted driving citations last year.
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